Today, the meeting of working group on ethnic minorities issues along with its new members was held at the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Georgia. Chairperson of the CEC was present during the working meeting held at the CEC premises. Tamar Zhvania introduced meeting participants with the activities carried out by the commission to ensure ethnic minorities inclusion in the election process. Giorgi Sharabidze, the CEC Deputy Chairperson, shared the future plans and main priorities with the attendees.

Natia Zaalishvili, Director of the CEC Training Center talked about the implemented education projects as well as future activities to facilitate inclusion of ethnic minority voters in the process. Sophio Sitchinava, head of working meeting provided detailed information to the participants on the activities carried out to raise awareness among ethnic minority voters.

The participants of the meeting positively assessed the initiatives and activities carried out by the CEC, after which they presented their recommendations. Working group operates since 2012 and its goal is to create an equal electoral environment for ethnic minority voters.

This year the group has expanded and includes representatives of the CEC and District Election Commissions (DEC), the CEC Training Center, the Public Defender’s Office, international and local non-governmental organizations.