The Parliament elected Giorgi Kalandarishvili as the chairman of the Central Election Commission. Kalandarishvili will exercise his authority for five years. Also, the Parliament elected Maya Zaridze, Giorgi Sharabidze, and Gia Tsatsashvili as members of the CEC.

CEC chairmanship and membership candidates were recently voted at the plenary session attended by 117 members of the Parliament.

The voting results at today’s session, are as follows: Giorgi Kalandarishvili 85 in favour, 16 against; Maya Zaridze – 81 in favour, seven against; Giorgi Sharabidze – 81 in favour, two against; Gia Tsatsashvili – 81 in favour, five against.

Voting to elect candidates for the chairmanship and membership of the Central Election Commission was also held on April 16, but the candidates did not get the necessary votes. As Speaker Shalva Papuashvili said at the time, the candidates had the support of 91 members of the Parliament. However, several parliamentary majority members could not attend the session, Shalva Papuashvili explained today, saying some were missing in the hall because of business trips.

For information, the approved amendments to the Election Code envisage a three-stage process for the election of the CEC chairman and members. Ninety votes are required on the first ballot, but the candidates could be elected with 76 votes if 90 votes cannot be secured. Nominated candidates can receive support with 76 votes twice, after which the candidate elected with 76 votes will hold office for five years. If the parliament fails to secure 76 votes in favour and thus fails to elect the candidates by voting, the President will make the final decision.