(Tbilisi, June 19 2003, Civil Georgia) – The consultations between the Parliamentary faction leaders, which were held today, could not narrow the gap between the opposition and government regarding the rule of composition of the Central Election Commission (CEC).
The Revival faction proposed the new rule according to which the CEC will be composed with 17 members.
According to the proposal each political party, which could clear 7% barrier during the 1999 Parliamentary elections will appoint three members in the CEC. President will nominate one, as well as the authorities of the Autonomous Republics of Abkhazia (in exile) and Adjara. The rest of the members will be composed the representatives of the parties, which could clear 4% barrier in the 2002 local elections.
The opposition Parliamentary factions agreed to support the proposed draft, while the pro-governmental factions went strongly against.
The delegation of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights during the June 18 meeting with the Parliamentary factions, as well as the US ambassador in Georgia during the June 19 meeting with the Parliamentary Chairperson called the government and opposition to hasten adoption of the new election code.
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