The Central Election Commission (CEC) of Georgia hosted a meeting with Feridun Sinirlioğlu, Secretary General of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). During the meeting, CEC Chairperson Giorgi Kalandarishvili and Deputy Chairperson Giorgi Sharabidze briefed the guest and accompanying delegates on the 2024 parliamentary elections and the preparations for the upcoming municipal elections scheduled for October 4.

The CEC Chairperson delivered a detailed overview of October 26 parliamentary elections and the large-scale implementation of electronic technologies. Existing challenges of the mentioned elections were also discussed at the meeting. The parties discussed the status of implementation of OSCE/ODIHR recommendations and the election administration’s future plans in this regard. It was emphasized that strengthening cooperation with OSCE/ODIHR is essential to supporting joint efforts aimed at advancing the electoral process.

The October 4 municipal elections were also a key topic of discussion. Giorgi Kalandarishvili and Giorgi Sharabidze provided a detailed overview of the election administration’s preparations - legal, technical, and logistical - for conducting the upcoming elections in a highly professional manner and in line with international standards. Participants also discussed the general challenges facing the election administration and potential ways of their solution.

At the end of the meeting, both parties reaffirmed the importance of continued cooperation in the future.

Alexander Maisuradze, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Georgia to the Republic of Austria, Terhi Hakala, OSCE CiO Special Envoy, Catherine Fearon, Director/Conflict Prevention Centre and Zeynep Celikel, Senior Special Adviser attended the meeting.