For the Second Round of October 2, 2021 Municipal Elections the PECs' members went through the intensive trainings.

In total, 3375 training sessions were conducted in accordance with the training program elaborated by the Training Centre:

• 3338 trainings (through the four stages) – oriented on the training of 1830 PECs;
• 29 trainings (through the one stage) - oriented on the training for the members of 29 Special Groups established to ensure the realization of electoral rights for voters temporarily residing in Stationary-Medical Facilities and isolation (quarantine, self-isolation);
• 8 trainings (through the one stage) - oriented on the training for the members of the 8 Precinct Election Commission/Special Group established in the Penitentiary Institutions of the Special Penitentiary Service.

The trainings, addressing the omissions identified in PECs’ activities through the first round of elections, were based on practical teaching:

Within the updated training concept, elaborated by the Training Centre, the PECs’ head officials passed the intensive training program on the techniques of drawing up summary protocol of polling results.  Furthermore, the implementation of PECs members’ other functions on the polling day and relevant practice were discussed, through the episodic stagings and other training formats.

Trainings were delivered by 144 trainers trained by the training center.

The study process was conducted in compliance with all recommendations related to the pandemic:

Prior to the start of each training session, participants underwent a rapid test at 144 training locations, in cooperation with the Ministry of Labor, Health and Social Defence of Georgia.

As of the attendance statistics of PECs’ members, the figures are as follows:

• Attendance stastistics on relevant trainings for 1830 PECs, as of stages:

       I stage - 3736 members (69%.3%)

       II stage - 3262 members (60.7%)

       III stage - 3190 members (59.1%)

       IV stage - 11 111 members (44%)

      Detailed statistics

• Members of 29 Special Groups established to ensure the realization of electoral rights for voters temporarily residing in Stationary-Medical Facilities and isolation (quarantine, self-isolation) attended the trainings

       I stage - 281 members (68.4%)

      Detailed statistics

• Members of the 8 Precinct Election Commission/Special Group established in the Penitentiary Institutions of the Special Penitentiary Service attended the trainings

       I stage - 43 members (52.4%)

        Detailed statistics

It is worth to mention, that pilot electronic training program “Techniques of Drawing up Summary Protocol of Polling Day” elaborated in cooperation among the CEC, the Training Centre and International Foundation of Electoral Systems (IFES) was implemented:

The program envisaged the strengthening of professional knowledge and practical skills of PEC’s head officials (chairperson, secretary), responsible for drawing up the summary protocol, on the techniques of drawing up summary protocols of polling results. After having finished centralized, on-site trainings the PECs’ head officials had the opportunity to check their knowledge about drawing up summary protocols by using the electronic program as an additional resource.

Trainings for PECs’ Members respond to the priorities for supporting the institutional strengthening of Election Administration and is aimed at increasing election commissions’ work efficacy for the Second Round of October 2, 2021 elections, in order to improving services for the voters and electoral stakeholders.