Transparency International Georgia says that political ads for opposition candidate may be illegal

Local NGO Transparency International Georgia (TI) says that political advertisements related to opposition presidential candidate Grigol Vashadze may be illegal.

The NGO says that 10 opposition candidates named Vashadze as their presidential candidate before the 28 October race, however as the Georgian law prohibits the creation of election blocs the nominee was officially registered as the candidate of the United National Movement opposition party.

Several of the opposition parties which support Vashadze anyway, formally registered their candidates and received free time on TV channels for their election ads.  The parties either issue the election ads of Vashadze or end such clips with a picture of Vashadze and his election number,” the NGO says.

TI Georgia has called upon the State Audit Office to show interest in the issue and take appropriate measures.