Former Chair of NGO ISFED Becomes Deputy Auditor General
TBILISI – Georgia’s Auditor General Lasha Tordia, appointed Nino Lomjaria, Former Executive Director of Georgian Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) - International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED), as his first deputy today.
According to the Auditor General, Lomjaria’s knowledge, experience and reputation are directly in line with the goals and activities of the State Audit Office (SAO).
“I think that the State Audit Office has acquired a professional colleague. We had consultations with her for a long time and now she decided to join our team," said the Auditor General.
Lomjaria noted that the SAO is one of the most transparent institutions at present that seeks to successfully implement international standards.
“I wish to take part in the institutional strengthening of the Audit Service, which is a prerequisite for legal and effective management of our citizens’ and state finances," Lomjaria said.
While working in non-governmental sector, Lomjaria researched electoral systems, good governance, political rights, women’s rights, freedom of expression, transparency and anti-corruption issues.
She is the author of 15 reports on election monitoring, access to information, freedom of media and anti-corruption issues.
Lomjaria got her LLM degree in US Law at Washington University and MA Degree in Law at Tbilisi state University (2006). She served as an Executive Director of ISFED in 2011-2016. Since February 2015 she also worked as the Secretary General of international election observer organization European Network of Election Observer Organizations (ENEMO) and she is a board member of European Platform of Democratic Elections (EPDE).
In 2004-2010 Lomjaria worked at the NGO Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA). In 2010 she worked as a research assistant of a law professor from Washington University in St. Louis.
The State Audit office is the supreme audit institution, responsible for performing audit. The general activities of the SAO are: promoting efficient and effective public spending, protection of national wealth, the property of state of autonomous republics and local (municipal) entities and improvement of management of public finances.
The Office also conducts financial monitoring of the political parties, within the competencies defined in The Organic Law of Georgia on Election Code of Georgia and Political Union of Citizens.
The SAO is independent in its activities and in terms of its institutional subordination, funding, operation and organizational setting.
By Thea Morrison
Edited by K.R. Davies