There was a change in the code of “Budget of Autonomous Republic of Adjara 2013” on 24th of July, 2013 according to which the budget of autonomous republic of Adjara increased by 14 722 700 Gel out of which 13 554 400 Gel will be spent for infrastructure and social projects.

Based on convention 3 of Article 49 from “Election Code of Georgian " it is forbidden to run the programs, which were not included in the budget, during the period from announcing the election date until summarizing the results of election. And also, it is prohibited to increase financing of the programs that were included in the budget. According to the changes mentioned above it is possible to finance as new as already existing programs, which is in conflict with the “Election Code of Georgian ". To ensure a healthy pre-election environment, government is obliged to determine its priorities in the process of planning budget in order to avoid increase budget expenditure in the pre-election period.

It deserves a special attention that a few days ago, the Parliament of Georgia passed the amendments in the Election Code at the third session. It is also related to the convention 3 of Article 49. The changes made in the Code significantly limit its effect, period of limitation effect will be shortened and it will be defined as 60 days before the elections. Also, the restriction does not apply to an increase of the budget for the existing programs, unscheduled initiatives or increasing planned transfers any more.

Unfortunately, the changes of convention 3 of Article 49 have not been reviewed and summarized in the format of inter-fractional parliamentary group, created with the purpose to improve the electoral law. Political parties, as well as local and international organizations were actively involved in the working process. Unfortunately, this initiative will lead to increased expenses of administrative resources during the election period.             

Center of Development and Democracy (CDD) calls for free and fair elections to an interdepartmental committee, the central government and local authorities to take appropriate measures to stop the tendency, in order to run the process of presidential election 2013 in a healthy and fair competitive environment and to stop spending the administrative resources for electoral purposes.