Central Election Commission introduces electronic voting technology to Government Administration staff
The official in Georgia’s Central Election Commission has introduced the electronic voting technology to the Government staff. Photo: Government press office
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Representatives of Georgia’s Central Election Commission on Monday introduced the electronic voting technology intended for introduction at next year’s Parliamentary Elections to employees of the Government Administration as part of the public information campaign for informing citizens about the novelty ahead of the 2024 vote.
Launched by CEC, the technology will be used by 90 percent of voters in the Elections, with Eka Tsabashvili, the Head of the Election Processes Management Department of the CEC, giving a presentation to the Government Administration, the latter’s press office said.
The CEC launched the information campaign on October 9 from the country’s legislative body, which earlier proposed related amendments to domestic laws.
In his comments during the launch of the campaign, Shalva Papuashvili, the Georgian Parliament Speaker, claimed the introduction of electronic voting would “remove all kinds of speculation” by domestic “radical groups” about “rigged elections”.
Papuashvili also said 90 percent of voters would undergo verification at polling stations using electronic technology, while voting itself would be handled through an electronic counter.
The CEC tested the new technology earlier this month during midterm elections in several municipalities, and said it had “proved to be successful”.
The Central Election Commission of Georgia on Tuesday said the imprisoned former President Mikheil Saakashvili was “openly trying” to discredit electronic voting by spreading misinformation, alleging that the new system “is analogue to the Russian one” and would “cancel the elections”.
Shalva Papuashvili, the Georgian Parliament Speaker, on Monday said the introduction of electronic voting across the country ahead of the 2024 Parliamentary Elections would “remove all kinds of speculation” by domestic “radical groups” about “rigged elections”.
Giorgi Kalandarishvili, the Chair of the Central Election Commission of Georgia, said the interim parliamentary and mayoral elections across the country on Sunday had “proved” the “readiness” of the election administration, voters and the public for electronic voting.
Rati Ionatamishvili, an MP of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Wednesday said the new initiative for introducing electronic voting in elections in the country could cover 90 percent of voters instead of initially offered 70 for the 2024 parliamentary elections, with the remaining ballot papers being instantly digitised and uploaded online after their retrieval from ballot boxes.
Giorgi Kalandarishvili, the Chair of the Central Election Commission, on Friday said the Commission had won three awards at the 19th International Electoral Affairs Symposium, as a recognition of the CEC’s activities carried out in a “proper, fair, and transparent environment following international standards”.