TSU Self-Governance Elections Valid

Student Self-Governance elections held at Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University on November 25 are valid, Demetre Egnatashvili, chairman of the Central Election Commission, said. “Out of 20 615 voters, 2 436 cast their ballots that is over a 10% threshold. It means that elections are valid and legitimate at all polling stations, including those, where voters were not able to cast ballots due to student protests,” he said.

The Central Election Commission said that 140 delegates were elected; they will hold an inaugural session in a week and elect the President. Two complaints, one written and the other oral, were filed to the commission; they were related to the attempts of agitation that had no impact on the course of elections. The chairman of the commission said that out of 13 polling stations, four worked without any delays; voting process was delayed in one polling station and eight polling stations were blocked for several hours that represents violation of the existing rules. Only independent candidates ran in the elections.

The following non-governmental organizations were monitoring the election process: International Society for Free and Fair Election; Center for Civic Involvement; Center of Development and Democracy; Young Barristers; European Law Students’ Association – Georgia; Prince David Institute of Law.