Zurab Ositashvili Canceled his Candidature

Zurab Otiashvili, majoritarian candidate of the National Movement in Dusheti district, cancelled his candidature.

Probable reason of Otiashvili’s decision was article about bribery of voters by him that was published by Information Centre of Mtskheta-Mtianeti.

On August 27 Information Centre of Mtskheta-Mtianeti reported that Zurab Otiashvili gave 500 lari to one of the voters in Chargali village during Vazhaoba Holiday. Otiashvili told Information Centre of Mtskheta-Mtianeti that he has helped blind singer from his own money. According to the lawyer from Transparency International Georgia this is bribery of voters that is punishable via criminal code.

After publishing the article, International Society for Fair Election and Democracy [ISFED] requested law enforcement officers to start immediate investigation about bribery fact of voters in Dusheti by the majoritarian candidate of the National Movement.

On August 30 Georgian Dream also appealed to the Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia regarding this issue.

“Otiashvili indirectly confessed it when saying he had done good thing. Otiashvili could help anyone but he has no right to be MP candidate and participate in the elections; if he wants to participate in the elections he should obey the law. We request the Prosecutor’s Office to inform us whether they have started investigation on this fact,” said Subari. According to him law should be equal for everyone.

Information-Centre of Mtskheta-Mtianeti