About 30 representatives of election administrations from 12 countries who will observe April 29 By/Extraordinary elections met Giorgi Kalandarishvili, Chairperson of the Central Election Commission (CEC), today.

Giorgi Kalandarishvili, at the meeting held at CEC, informed them on a preparatory process for elections, large-scale use of technology in mentioned elections, and those significant novelties election administration carried out for by/extraordinary elections. It should be noted that some of the election administrations, as part of the observation mission in Georgia, already have the experience of holding elections electronically or are currently implementing the technology.

As CEC Chairperson stated, it is essential that election administrations share experience and findings. 

"April 29 By/Extraordinary Elections is at the attention of domestic and international organizations. The key reason for this is using technological means and those innovations which EA plans for this election. Therefore, today CEC hosts around 30 delegates from 12 countries. They will monitor the electoral process and share with the Central Election Commission the practices from their countries regarding the technological solution,"-Giorgi Kalandarishvili stated following the meeting. 

Foreign colleagues also discussed the deepening of cooperation and the importance of sharing experience in administering E-elections. 

"I am very honored to be in Georgia for election and to be part of the observation delegation invited by the Chairperson. We recognize the importance of this type of exchange to emphasize the effective use of technology in the electoral process. Emphasis on accessibility, transparency, and building trust among the electorate is essential. We all experience similar issues worldwide as we try to ensure that we give the voice to people amplified through the electoral process. So, we try to combat misinformation and convey to our voters the security of the process and produce results that have integrity. It's truly an honor to be here with all the delegates and to see the great progress that has been made here in Georgia, "– Dean Logan, Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk, said. 

According to John Hollins, Head of the Canadian non-governmental organization "Delian Project, "It is always interesting to visit Georgia and observe elections because the professionalism we find here, especially in terms of technology, is well integrated into electoral processes and is well suited to the growing challenges I face globally in terms of elections. We are very interested in tomorrow's E-day and election process observation. Today, we had an informational meeting with CEC representatives. They detailed to us electoral procedures and their plans and those novelties that are offered to voters. It is very interesting how such novelties will be met by voters as well as for election officials, as there are a lot of novelties for them as well; This is a big step forward for the preparations for the 2024 elections. Many countries have arrived today, and everyone is very interested in these processes because Georgia is leading in this regard. Many countries are considering introducing similar procedures, especially to increase transparency."

As Mr. Erton Sinani, representative of the Central Election Commission of Albania, stated: "Today, we are in Georgia as part of the observation mission to directly see the progress that our partner election administration achieved. Namely, the novelty concerning technology use in the electoral process in terms of transparency and integrity of elections. We are delighted to participate in this process and receive experience in voter verification, E-voting, and E-counting". 

According to Miljkan Karlicic, a Member of the Electoral Commission of the Republic of Serbia, "Modern E-elections guarantee transparent and fair elections. E-elections respond to modern challenges and create a solid electoral foundation for the electoral environment in the future. I wish Georgia success in launching and implementing this critical initiative."

Heads of various structural units and Chairperson of the CEC met today representatives of the foreign election administrations. Heads of CEC Legal, Strategic Communications, and Election Process Management Departments, and CEC Training Centre, provided detailed information to representatives of several countries' election administration about election reform, use of electronic technologies in mentioned elections, technological and system security, voter awareness and implemented information campaign in this regard, as well as trainings held by CEC Training Centre. 

About 30 representatives of the election administrations of 12 countries will observe the By/Extraordinary elections scheduled for April 29 in Kutaisi and Terjola.