Avtandil Osepaishvili: “In General, Elections Were Successful”

Shorena Kakabadze, Imereti 

Chairman of Kutaisi DEC # 59 Avtandil Osepaishvili said Presidential Election was held without significant violations. There were 127 election precincts and 2 special precincts in the district. The DEC finished main procedural works and is waiting for the final protocol from the Central Election Commission.

Humanrights.ge interviewed Kutaisi DEC # 59 Chairperson Avtandil Osepaishvili to find out how elections were held in Kutaisi, what violations were observed and what happened in PEC # 65 where initially the results were annulled but later the DEC decision was annulled and strict sanctions were imposed on the PEC members. 

Avtandil Osepaishvili: We can say that 2013 Presidential Elections were held transparently, in full compliance with the law and democratically. More precisely, the process was conducted in normal and satisfactory environment. Although there were violations, no particular irregularities were observed. 

-It should be noted that there were precincts were numerous and significant violations were observed.

-Of course, we had similar cases. For example, Precinct # 71, where ballot box was not sealed and a complaint was filed on the fact. However, this error was soon eradicated after a representative of the observation organization reacted on the fact. Naturally, observers and commission members reflected this violation in the protocol; after that the polling process continued. 

-Did you impose any sanctions on the commission members?

-They were rebuked in accordance to the election law.

-As for PEC # 65, initially results were annulled there because of observed violations, but later the problem was resolved in favor of the commission. How did you respond to these facts?

-Yes, we had problem of control paper in this precinct. Personal data of the first voter were not recorded on the control paper. The box was already sealed. Of course, we could not break it and decided to identify all three control papers when the box was opened. However, unexpected thing happened. Namely, commission secretary voluntarily, without agreeing it with the commission chairperson and members, asked the first voter, who was the PEC member, to sign the control paper. So, as a result one control paper was signed. Of course, it was grave enough violation to annul the PEC results but in the end different decision was made. At the first session of the DEC six members voted for the annulment and six against it. 

 I, as a chairperson, enjoyed my authority (Article 8 Paragraph V of the Election Code) and added my vote to the votes for the annulment. However, unfortunately we made technical mistake. In order to annul the precinct results, 2/3 of the DEC members shall vote for the annulment (Article 8 Part IV). We cast lot for the second time but enough votes for the annulment were not gathered and the results were not cancelled.

-Did not you impose any sanctions on the commission members?

-Of course, we did. Namely, 100% of the secretary’s salary and 50% of the PEC Chairman’s salary was deducted. I think it was quite strict sanction, though necessary. To tell the truth, I am not satisfied with it. I believe the results were to be annulled in order to make it exemplary for the future.

-In general, we can say that commission members were not properly trained, that caused procedural violations in precincts. What happened, why were PEC members untrained? 

-You might remember a provision in the Election Code, according to which certificated personnel were to be employed in the election administration. Later, this obligation with regard to precinct commissions was removed from the provision and we received this result. However, I cannot say that everybody was poor professional. The point is that DEC selects six members in each PEC. Others are nominated by the political parties.

-So, you mean that political parties’ representatives were poor professionals?

-Both, our and their representatives were bad professionals. People, who submitted applications, claimed that they had relevant experience. We trusted them. Besides that, it is noteworthy that this year we could not use the resource of teachers, who had huge experience in the field. It is fact that we must be more prepared for the upcoming elections. Of course, it will be difficult to train everybody for the upcoming local self-governmental elections, but we must do our best to meet the next parliamentary elections with well-trained PEC members.