CEC, local observers sign election Code of Conduct

Representatives from the election administration from Georgia’s Central Election Commission (CEC) and 14 local observing organisations today signed a Code of Conduct for the October 8 Parliamentary Elections. 

The document aimed to support the conduct of fair and transparent Parliamentary Elections, respecting the supremacy of the law and implementing basic principles of elections.

Based on the document, signatories agreed to be guided by Georgian legislation, internationally recognised standards and the mentioned Code of Conduct for the upcoming elections.

A very significant document was signed [today]”, said head of the CEC Tamar Zhvania. 

To ensure the conduct of elections is held in a fair and free environment we will be guided by high ethical standards as administrators and observers,” she said.

Following an initiative of Zhvania, a working group was established on June 30 to develop a Code of Conduct for the elections. The group was composed of representatives from the CEC and its training center, as well as people from local non-governmental organisations (NGOs). 

Local NGOs involved in the adoption of the election Code of Conduct were:

• Georgian Young Lawyers Association (GYLA)
• International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED), 
• Transparency International – Georgia (TI Georgia)
• Centre of Development and Democracy (CDD)
• Public Movement – Multinational Georgia (PMMG)
•  Coalition for Civil Development and Human Rights Centre.

The Code of Conduct is open to registered local observer organisations that are willing to sign the document and consent to act in accordance with international election Code of Conduct norms.