12 aspirants for presidency in Georgia

The Central Election Commission (CEC) of Georgia has received 12 statements for registration as candidates in the pre-term presidential election of January 4, 2004. The CEC announced it on November 30.

Observers say that Mikhail Saakashvili, the candidate of the National Movement and Burdjanadze-Democrats blocs, and former presidential representative in Imereti (West Georgia) Teimuraz Shashiashvili have the highest chances to win the election. The positions of former chief of the Georgian security service Igor Georgadze are rather strong, too. Yet the Central Election Commission may deny registration to Georgadze, the same as it was done in the parliament elections of November 2. Back then the Commission explained the denial by saying that Georgadze had not lived in Georgia for the last two years.

Two candidates, head of the David the Builder Society Roin Liparteliani and lawyer Kartlos Garibashvili from the Georgian Lawyers Association, may take part in the presidential election for the third time. However, they gained an insufficient number of votes in the elections of 1995 and 2000.

The other possible candidates, human rights activist Georgy Korganashvili, Zurab Kelekhsashvili from the Mdzleveli political organization, and Bidzina Kharibegashvili, Vazha Chkhaidze, Giya Chikhvadze, Sergo Aksentyev and Zaza Sikharulidze nominated by groups of voters, are little known to the public.

The deadline for registration, which was once extended by the parliament, expired at 17:00 Moscow time on November 30. But CEC Chairman Zurab Chiaberashvili announced the deadline might be extended for several days again.