From September 24 to October 26, 2020, the Training Centre, in cooperation with the Election Administration, implemented intensive course for the professional training of the members of 3657 Precinct Election Commissions (PECs).

To support boosting of knowledge about procedural issues on electoral legislation and develop practical skills, the trainings were conducted in four stages:

• 1^st and 3^rd stages of trainings were envisaged for the full composition of PECs;
• On the 2^nd stage the trainings were conducted for the head officers of the PECs (chairperson of the commission, deputy chairperson of the commission, secretary of the commission);
• 4^th stage was dedicated to the practical trainings of PECs secretaries.

Within the profile programs, developed by the Training Centre, the members of PECs were acquainted to the important information on the following main issues related to their competence:

• key principles for holding democratic elections and the importance of the role of PEC members in ensuring them, mandate within the ethical and legal framework;
• the operations of PECs and the powers stipulated under the regulations; the grounds for disciplinary responsibility;
• coordination/communication of activities of PECs with DECs (including organizational-logistical matters);
• activities of PECs prior to the polling day (including, legislative amendments – entering voters in a special list of an adapted election precinct);
• functions of PEC members on the polling day;
• the rule of voting by voters (including the principle of free demonstration of will and the secrecy of vote);
• voters’ personal data protection;
• closing election precincts, PEC members’ functions in the process of sorting/counting/sealing ballot papers;
• drawing up polling results summary protocol and its publicity;
• electoral security;
• photo-video shooting regulations at polling stations;
• polling day applications/complaints;
• Regulations related to holding elections in a safe environment under the pandemic.

190 trainers trained by the Training Center provided trainings to the PECs members. To support the enhancement of procedural knowledge of members of election commissions, the trainings were conducted using a combined methodology, including role-plays to enhance practical skills of the participants.

The representatives of international and local observer missions attended the trainings.

For detailed statistics on PECs members’ attendance on the trainings please follow the link (available in Georgian)