Through the Period of October 26 – November 6, 2023, the Central Election Commission (CEC) and LEPL Centre for Electoral Systems Development, Reforms and Training (Training Centre) in cooperation with the Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia implemented Informational-Training Course “Elections and Young Voter” in public schools. Project covered 315 public schools located in 64 municipalities.

The training program was updated in accordance with the complex task of forming young people into informed voters. When discussing various election issues, XI-XII grade students were introduced to modernization issues in elections, the novelties of conducting the polling process with electronic devices and the election services introduced for voters, the method of using special electronic devices for voter verification and vote counting as well as international practices in this direction were  discussed.

Along with theoretical issues, students underwent practical training. Simulated voting processes were held, which strengthens the motivation of young people to make them more interested in election processes and become active participants.

The students evaluated the training course positively. In the feedback format, they noted that the program helped them thoroughly familiarize themselves with technological innovations in the election process, and most importantly, they clearly saw the meaning of the role of each voter both in elections and in the process of democratic development of the state in general.

Training program implemented in 2023, was passed by the 6597 students (women – 3951; men - 2646) from 315 public schools, among them 893 students (women – 552; men - 341) form 45 public schools in the regions populated by the ethnic minorities (Telavi, Lagodekhi, Sagarejo, Gardabani, Rustavi, Marneuli, Bolnisi, Dmanisi, Tetritskharo, Tsalka, Akhaltsikhe, Akhalkalaki, Ninostminda).

The project is being implemented from 2015, and aims to raise the electoral awareness and promote the growth of civic responsibility among youth. To date, up to 26 000 students from 1353 public schools located in 64 municipalities have passed the information-training course.

The CEC and the Training Center would like to cordially thank the Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia, the Educational Resource Centers, the public school management and the students for the successful implementation of the project