Based on the invitation from the International Centre for Parliamentary Studies (ICPS), Natia Zaalishvili, Training Center Director, and Tamar Shukakidze, Head of the CEC Human Resources Management Department, took part in the 17th International Electoral Symposium held in Accra, Ghana.
The focus of the Symposium was sharing participating countries’ experience around electoral matters, discussion of implemented projects and challenges. Importantly, the award ceremony under the International Electoral Awards was held during the Symposium; representatives of various election administrations and institutions received awards for substantive achievements in the electoral field. International Electoral Award Committee identified winners in 12 electoral nominations. It should be noted that that Natia Zaalishvili, Training Center Director, has been a member of this International Committee since 2014 to date. Other members of the Committee were: Michael Bruter - the International Centre for Electoral Psychology, Alberto Guevara Castro - Federal Electoral Tribunal of Mexico, Pierre Garrone - Council of Europe, Miranda Greenstreet - The Coalition of Domestic Election Observers of Ghana, William Sweeney - IFES former President, and Matt Gokhool - International Centre for Parliamentary Studies (ICPS).
The Symposium brought together the representatives of election administrations from various countries, international organizations and academia, as well as international experts. The topics covered during the Symposium included supporting electoral processes through electoral technologies, distant voting, biometric identification of voters, raising awareness of young voters and ensuring their participation in the electoral process, raising credibility of election administrations, role of social media and digital technologies in the electoral process. Tamar Shukakidze, representative of the Georgian Delegation, briefed Symposium participants about services and projects implemented by the Election Administration of Georgia.
The Symposium was held during January 26-31, 2019. It was organized by the ICPS and the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Ghana.
