Fine for illegal use of administrative resources to be increased
By Liza Mchedlidze
Friday, August 26, 2022
The fine for illegal use of administrative resources may increase from 2000 GEL to 4000 GEL.
The issue was discussed in the working group created for revision of the Election Code in the parliament.
According to Givi Mikanadze, the head of the group and member of the parliamentary majority, the positions of the participants of the working group on the issue of increasing the fine for the illegal use of administrative resources are reconciled.
According to him, they agreed on another issue on the agenda, that a person who was a representative of any political party or entity during the last two general elections should not be appointed as a member of the District Election Commission.
"Positions on several issues were agreed upon. Among them, there is talk of increasing the fine for illegal use of administrative resources from 2000 GEL to 4000 GEL.
It is also said that a person who was a representative of any political party or entity during the last two general elections should not be appointed as a member of the District Election Commission.
Also, in order to equalize the positions under the current legislation, the members represented by the parties have a certification requirement, while this requirement does not apply to people who are selected on professional grounds. We have decided to extend it to them as well. Accordingly, the CEC will ensure this.
There were issues on which the positions were divided - the limitation period of administrative responsibility for the illegal use of administrative resources, which is two months according to the current legislation, is recommended by GRECO to be increased to 3 years. In connection with this, a part of the opposition parties said that it is unacceptable to extend this term, a part of the opposition parties and we also stated the position that this recommendation is based on the appropriate basis and we think that this term should be extended.
We have made a decision that for the next working group, which will probably be held on September 15, a draft norm will be drawn up, which will explain that the term will be increased to 3 years, but the issue will remain open and additional arguments will be discussed", said Givi Mikanadze .
As for the issue of increasing the number of polling stations where elections will be held using electronic technologies, Mikanadze says that this issue has not been discussed yet, although the management team is ready for consultations.
"This issue is open for discussion. We have seen that the CEC conducted several mid-term elections using the electronic system. We see the positive sides of this process. This issue needs a political solution as well as financial support. So far we have not come to discuss this issue, although it is on the agenda. Several members of the group expressed their interest, as well as ours. We will continue to discuss this issue both in this group format and at the next meeting. Our position is open. We are ready for consultations. Also, we are consulting with the government in terms of financial security," said Givi Mikanadze
