The Central Electoral Commission (CEC) of Ukraine has denied registration to 2,011 Georgian observers at the presidential election. Only seven of the CEC members voted for registration, with at least eight votes being necessary.

The CEC member Tamara Astakhova said that the registration term has expired, and the Commission will not discuss the issue any more.

The Rada member Oleg Bilorus said that the CEC properly prepared the Georgian delegation’s documents, and no legal problem arose.

Georgian Ambassador to Ukraine Grigol Katamadze stated that the Ukrainian CEC’s decision is not a final one.

According to him, a final decision will be made on January 14. The Rustavi-2 TV Company reported that the issue of registration of about 500 observers representing Georgian government agencies is to be settled.

The presidential election is scheduled for January 17, 2010, in Ukraine.

T.P.