17:00, 1 May 2010

Georgia: 16 parties and three blocks to take part in local elections

On May 30, 16 parties and three electoral blocks will take part in elections of local government bodies. Nine of them have nominated their candidates for the post of Tbilisi Mayor, as the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent was reported at the press service of the Central Electoral Commission (CEC).

"In total, 36 parties expressed their intention to take part in the elections. However, 10 parties presented incorrect lists of their supporters and failed to correct them by the deadline; therefore, the CEC made a decision to reject their registration," said Dzhuli Giorgadze, head of the CEC's press service.

In particular, among those rejected there are the Political Movement "Merab Kostava Society", the Party "Lawyers of Georgia", Political Organization "Fatherland", the Green Party of Georgia, Political Associations "Council of Workers of Georgia" and "Party for Defence of Georgian Workers' Rights", the Party "Neutral Georgia" and the Conservative and People's Parties.

The CEC's decision was judicially challenged only by the Green Party of Georgia, but the court rejected the claim.

Author: Inna Kukudzhanova

Source: CK correspondent