The LEPL Centre for Electoral Systems Development, Reforms and Training (Training Center), in cooperation with the Central Election Commission, provided intensive retraining for election commission members for the October 4, 2025 elections.

In accordance with the training concept, considering the specifics of the voting process at polling stations, profile training programs were prepared by the Training Centre :

• 2,284 Precinct Election Commission (PEC) members underwent training on the procedures for conducting voting using electronic devices (five stages);
• 767 Precinct Election Commission (PEC) members were in detailed instructed on the procedures for conducting voting without using electronic devices (four stages);
• Members of 10 Precinct Election Commission (PEC) established in exceptional cases in penitentiary institutions underwent retraining in the relevant professional direction (one stage).

Within the framework of the training program, head officials and members of election commissions were thoroughly familiarized with the techniques for performing relevant functions to provide qualified service to voters, including in the context of supporting an inclusive electoral environment. When discussing the activities of the election commission, attention was focused on the important role and responsibility of election administrators, which is related to ensuring the free expression of the will of each voter, the availability of observation of the process, the confidentiality of voter choices and the protection of personal data.

Focusing on study outcomes, PECs’ members received specialized knowledge through the stages, on all procedural issues, from the opening of the polling station to the summarization of voting results, according to thematically designed programs. The trainings were conducted based on practical teaching methodology. It included role-playing games, modeling of working with electronic devices, and episodic staging of the polling process. Given the high importance of informing the electorate, commission members also received detailed instructions on how to communicate with voters while performing their registrar duties and on how to consistently provide explanations on voting procedures.

279 trainers trained by the Training Center provided a total of 6,423 training sessions, including:

• 4970 training sessions - for PECs that conduct voting using electronic devices;
• 1453 training sessions - for PECs that conduct voting without using electronic

Within the framework of the large-scale training project, statistics on attendance of PECs’ head officials and members at trainings by the stages are available at the link (in Georgian).

Within the framework of the preparatory phase for the municipal elections, the Training Centre, in cooperation with the CEC, also ensured the implementation of an informational-study project for the full staff of all 73 District Election Commissions and the lawyers of the commissions. Issues related to the mandate of the District Election Commission were discussed in detail, including legislative amendments, uniform application of legislation, methodology for resolving electoral disputes, and mechanisms for supervising the activities of subordinate PECs.

The CEC and the Training Centre, considering the procedural specifics of conducting elections, have prepared various types of informational-study resources (in Georgian), which depicts in detail the legal status of election administrators and persons authorized to be present at polling stations, ethical standards, and practical aspects of their activities. This serves to facilitate the organized conduct of the polling process and to raise awareness of the importance of professional cooperation with a focus on the interests of voters.

In order to promote an inclusive electoral environment, the manuals and memorables for PECs were translated into ethnic minority languages (Armenian and Azerbaijani).