Head of Gov’t administration tells NDI that safety of voters, int’l observers will be ensured on election day
The Central Election Commission has set safety guidelines for the upcoming parliamentary elections on October 31 following consultations with political parties and monitoring organisations. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
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Head of the government administration Natia Mezvrishvili told the President of the National Democratic Institute (NDI) Derek Mitchell that the safety of voters as well as international observers will be ensured at the upcoming parliamentary elections in Georgia amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Speaking of importance of security on the election day, Natia Mezvrishvili said that all the relevant measures have been taken to hold elections in a safe environment.
During the meeting the participants spoke of the negative impact of disinformation in the pre-election phase as well. Mezvrishvili together with the chief of staff of the National Security Council Kakhaber Kemoklidze focused on the steps that the Georgian government has made to counter disinformation during the pandemic.
As they said, from the very first days of the crisis, the government has been ‘consistently sharing timely and reliable information’ with population ‘to minimise the negative consequences of disinformation’.
- NDI releases recommendations ahead of Georgian parliamentary elections
- NDI releases recommendations to improve information environment, inclusion ahead of Georgia’s parliamentary elections
Meanwhile, on October 22 NDI announced of launching a virtual election analysis mission ahead of the parliamentary elections in Georgia, which is the third phase of its international election integrity program.
Watch Georgia country director, Alan Gillam's video address discussing the details of the mission:
NDI has released two election bulletins on October 9 and October 20 with recommendations based on the analysis of eight international election experts.
Based on the safety guidelines for the upcoming parliamentary elections set by the Central Election Commission (CEC) precinct election commission (PEC) members will go through thermal screening, use hand sanitisers and wear face masks before entering the polling station.
PEC members will be additionally equipped with face shields and disposable hand gloves. Disinfectant barriers and hand sanitisers, as well as information about preventive measures against the spread of the virus will be placed at the entrance of polling premises.
The National Democratic Institute has released its second pre-election bulletin today with recommendations aimed to improve the information environment and ensure inclusion of marginalized groups ahead of Georgia’s parliamentary elections of October 31.
The National Democratic Institute (NDI) has released recommendations ahead of the upcoming parliamentary elections in Georgia. The recommendations are based on an analysis of the work of the electoral administration, the campaign environment, gender and inclusion, media and disinformation and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Foundations for democratic elections are in place in Georgia for the upcoming voting for the parliament in October, however challenges in public confidence in the process remain, a pre-election environment report from the National Democratic Institute non-governmental organisation says.
The head and the founder of the Georgian Dream ruling party Bidzina Ivanishvili has held an online meeting with NDI President Derek Mitchell and other senior officials of the American non-profit organisation to discuss the pre-election environment in Georgia ahead of the October parliamentary elections.
Georgia has reported 1,941 new cases of coronavirus over the last 24 hours, including 1,034 cases in the capital of Tbilisi. Meanwhile, 412 infected individuals have recovered, while ten people have died of the coronavirus-related complications.
Georgia's Central Election Commission (CEC) has announced that ballot papers for the October 31 parliamentary elections are being printed. The CEC Spokesperson Ana Mikeladze also noted that ballot papers are being printed for Adjara Supreme Council elections as well as mayoral and city council (Sakrebulo) by-elections as well.
The Embassy of the Republic of Turkey in Tbilisi has announced that it has temporarily suspended consular services due to an increase in COVID-19 cases across Georgia.