In cooperation between the LEPL Centre for Electoral Systems Development, Reforms and Trainings (Training Centre) and Academy of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia (MIA Academy), re-training program was held for police officers on September 17-18, to ensure effective communication between the election administration and law enforcement agencies in order to promote holding October 2, 2021 Municipal Elections in free and peaceful environment.

Informational-training course “Elections and Security” was held in online format. Representatives of the Training Centre with the head officials of structural units of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia discussed legislative novelties and following key issues:

• the importance of a secure electoral environment for ensuring democratic elections
• election stakeholders and their role in the election security process (legal status and scope of action in the election process)
• identifing security risks during the polling process at the polling station
• legislative mechanisms to ensure security during the voting process at the polling station (prevention and response)
• regulations related to holding elections in a safe environment in a pandemic

The police officers also got acquainted with the order of the Minister of Internal Affairs of Georgia and the instructions attached to the order, according to which, in the areas of operation of the police departments, groups responsible for the prevention and response to violations will be established in the regions of Georgia.

879 employees of MIA participated in the informational-training program.

Partnership between the Training Centre and MIA Academy is based on the memorandum signed on September 27, 2018 and serves the purpose of promoting elections in a safe and peaceful environment.