Justice Minister praises move to reinstate Marneuli UNM candidate

The head of the country’s Justice Ministry is welcoming Tbilisi City Court’s decision to reinstate United Nation Movement’s (UNM) Gamgebeli candidate in Marneuli and allow him to run in the June 15 local elections.

Justice Minister Tea Tsulukiani said she was pleased with the Court’s decision to reinstate UNM candidate Akmamed Imamquliyev, after the Central Election Commission (CEC) cancelled his registration for failing to adhere to the election rules.

The opposition party candidate’s bid to run in the election was plagued with legal hurdles related to two-year residency requirements.

The District Election Commission looked into his case and advised the CEC to revoke Imamquliyev’s eligibility to run for the head (Gamgebeli) of Marneuli municipality, Kvemo Kartli region.

Minister Tsulukiani, who is also the chair of the Inter-Agency Commission – a special department of the Ministry of Justice dedicated to ensuring free and fair elections – believed Imamquliyev would be able to take part in a "political tournament”.

"The Inter-Agency Commission once again reiterates to all political parties that any kind of violence is unacceptable and harmful to the country, including against the election administration. During the pre-election campaign all candidates have to have equal opportunities to prove their superiority,” said the Commission in a statement today.

"Voters will be able to make their free choice on Election Day.”

Earlier, UNM blamed authorities for unlawfully revoking Imamquliyev’s candidacy and claimed current leaders wanted its candidate to be removed from the race. Imamquliyev appealed the decision to the CEC but on June 7 his name was removed from the election registration form.

UNM then appealed to Tbilisi City Court and won the case.