2018-11-01 On September 10, in Martvili District, a clash and a verbal confrontation erupted during interview of the UNM-appointed member with applicants. As soon as the interview began, DEC members created a tense environment and started loudly saying that the interview was pointless. UNM-appointed member of the DEC announced that all registered candidates had been notified about interviews. However, only 8 appeared to the interview. Four of them entered the interview room while others left the commission premises after seeing the conflict environment. DEC members expressly informed candidates that had appeared for an interview that the interviews were held at the sole initiative of UNM representative and they were free to refuse to attend it. DEC members essentially did not allow the UNM representative to hold interviews and ask questions. DEC members commented on and criticized each and every interview question, saying that the questions were irrelevant for candidate’s skills and experience and they were insulting. As a result, interviews grew into a verbal confrontation between the UNM-appointed member of the DEC and other DEC members. The DEC chair was actively involved in the confrontation. The UNM-appointed member of the commission kept urging to other members of the DEC to let him ask questions and conduct an interview but to no avail. Out of four applicants that entered the interview room, first left in protest and openly told Ekaterine Tsotsonava, temporary member of the DEC appointed by the Central Election Commission, that she was disrupting the interview. Tsotsonava repeatedly asked the applicant if she was certain that she wanted to have an interview with the UNM representative. The applicant, who was irritated by Tsotsonava’s questions, responded that otherwise she would not have shown up for an interview. An intense conversation between the applicant and the commission member ensued. As a result, the candidate left the room. Regarding another candidate that had appeared for interview, the DEC chair announced that it was a shame to ask questions related to electoral procedures to someone of his experience. This was followed by an intense debate and argument among commission members. Other applicants who had appeared for an interview chose not to participate in it, after the DEC members kept repeatedly pointing out that the interview was the sole initiative of the UNM representative.