On February 16, meeting of working group on the issues of persons with disabilities (PWD) was held at the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Georgia. Mr Giorgi Sharabidze, deputy chairperson welcomed the meeting participants. Mr Sharabidze together with working group members discussed activities of the Election Administration (EA) and preparatory process for 2018 elections. Ms. Natia Zaalishvili, director of Training Center delivered information on implemented educational projects and grant competition to working group members. Sophio Sitchinava, head of working group and Coordination, Planning and Reporting Department of the CEC, introduced participants to the activities of the EA implemented for electoral engagement of persons with disabilities in 2017. Special emphasis was placed on adapted election precincts, accessible services for PWD on E-day, statistics of PWD voters and the services envisaged by 2018 Action Plan of the administration.

Working group operates since 2012 and aims at creating an equal electoral environment for PWD voters. Dimitri Javakhadze, the Commission member, director of Training Center, chairpersons of district election commissions, representative of the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), as well as representatives of the Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure of Georgia, Public Defender of Georgia and non-governmental organizations attended the meeting.