Student Self-Governance elections are being held at Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University (TSU) on November 25. Demetre Egnatashvili, chairman of the Central Election Commission of Student Self-Governance, said that all 13 polling stations were opened at 10pm and elections are underway in a calm atmosphere. Voting process will last till 6pm. The Central Election Commission will announce election results within two hours after the end of voting.
Egnatashvili said that a part of students filed a lawsuit in the Constitutional Court on May 24 in connection with self-governance reform, but six months have already passed and the lawsuit has not been considered yet. Therefore, this fact cannot hamper the today’s elections. The voting is underway with full observance of law.
Rector of TSU, Giorgi Sharvashidze said in connection with the student self-governance elections: “All polling stations have been opened and the voting is underway in a normal atmosphere. All those persons, who want to participate, can participate. Everyone knew that the deadline for holding elections was November 25. TSU has already stated that we will act with full observance of the law. Under the current rule, any student is eligible to run in the elections and be elected; this is direct election and it happens for the first time within the university space.”
The following non-governmental organizations are 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.