Chairperson of the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Georgia and CEC Deputy Chairperson, Giorgi Sharabidze, met representatives of non-governmental sectors from the US and Europe, representatives of media and former diplomats.

The key topic of the meeting was the forthcoming 2024 Elections. Giorgi Kalandarishvili informed the delegation members about implemented and ongoing activities of the Election Administration (EA) of Georgia, that aim at conducting the elections with high professionalism and in accordance with international standards. He also delivered information regarding ongoing registration process of political parties and submission of political party lists.

During the meeting, the participants simultaneously elaborated on the issues such as registration of local observer organizations and provision of information to voters in regard with electronic elections. Giorgi Kalandarishvili emphasized that the EA of Georgia welcomes engagement and observation of the impartial and objective observer missions in the elections, and recognizes it as a crucial component for ensuring the integrity of the elections.

The meeting participants also thoroughly discussed the issues pertaining to electronic elections. Giorgi Kalandarishvili spoke about the innovations that are introduced in this area. Additionally, the delegation members had an opportunity to personally experience the functioning of the verification and vote counting devices and participate in a simulation of voting. The CEC Chairperson highlighted that the large-scale information campaign commenced a year and a half before the general elections, and more than a half million voters are informed for the time being. As part of it, the nationwide demonstration of electronic voting technologies has been conducted throughout Georgia, encompassing both theoretical and practical components. The project responds to the National Democratic Institute’s recommendation, issued in the non-elections period, on testing the electronic voting technologies across Georgia.

Furthermore, the CEC’s leadership covered the challenges that the EA of Georgia is facing at present, including dissemination of disinformation regarding electoral processes.