Parliament fails to elect CEC staff twice

Nominees for the Central Election Commission (CEC) Chair Giorgi Kalandarishvili and Giorgi Santuriani failed to secure Georgian MPs support for the second time.

The Parliament convened for the extraordinary session on Thursday to elect the CEC Chairperson and members. Giorgi Kalandarishvili received 83 votes pro, 11 con. Four lawmakers supported Giorgi Santuriani, eleven voted against.

According to the procedures, a two-thirds majority or at least a hundred MPs should support the CEC Chair or members for a five-year term. Candidates will now participate in the third round to gain sufficient 3/5 majority votes. If failed again, the candidates will participate in the last voting and need to obtain a simple majority to serve a temporary six-month term.

Giorgi Kalandarishvili and Giorgi Santuriani are proposed for the post of CEC Chair, four candidates run for two vacant CEC member posts.