On October 23, the representatives of the election administration of the Republic of Armenia visited the Central Election Commission of Georgia (CEC) od Georgia and LEPL Center for Electoral Systems Development, Reforms and Training (Training Centre) in order to share their experience in the implementation of training programs in the field of elections.

The meeting was opened by the Chairman of the CEC, Giorgi Kalandarishvili, who informed the representatives of the delegation about the strategic vision of the Georgian Election Administration and the importance of the training component in order to promote professionalism.

As the Chairman of the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Armenia, Vahagn Hovakimyan noted, the delegation is particularly interested in the work of the educational institution - Training Centre operating in the field of elections in Georgia, because the election administration of the Republic of Armenia is also planning to establish a similar Training Centre.

Natia Zaalishvili, the Training Centre director, introduced the members of the delegation in detail to the institutional arrangement and main activities of the Centre, discussed the training programs introduced for voters, election commissions and parties involved in the election process, certification courses, training concepts developed for the non-election and election period focusing on the development of election culture. The Deputy Chairman of the CEC Giorgi Sharabidze shared with the guests the practical experience that the CEC and the Training Centre use for the purposes of active information of the public about election technologies within the framework of the current reform.

The delegation of the Republic of Armenia was represented by CEC Chairman Vahagn Hovakimyan, CEC Secretary Armen Smbatyan and member Anna Grigoryan. The prospects of future cooperation was also discussed.

It should be noted that similar workshops are held periodically for the purpose of sharing experience with the election administrations of other countries.