The Council of Europe, under its Action Plan for Georgia 2016-2019, and the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), with the support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), are co-organising a conference "2017 Municipal Elections: Lessons Learned and Steps Ahead" on 13 March 2018 in Tbilisi, Georgia. Similar post-election conferences were organised following the 2012 parliamentary, 2013 presidential, 2014 local elections, and 2016 parliamentary elections.

The aim of the Conference is to draw lessons from the organisation and management of the 2017 municipal elections in view of their compliance with European and international standards and for further improvement of the electoral process in Georgia. The conference will also provide an opportunity to examine the progress in election administration in view of previous elections and to discuss anticipated challenges ahead of the 2018 presidential elections.

The Conference will commence at 10:00 at Tbilisi Marriott Hotel with remarks from Mr Cristian Urse, Head of the Council of Europe Office in Georgia, Mr Thomas R. Morris, Acting Mission Director at the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Mr Irakli Kobakhidze, Chairperson of the Parliament of Georgia, and Ms Tamar Zhvania, Chairperson of the Central Election Commission of Georgia.

Participants to the Conference include Georgian lawmakers and government representatives, members of the Central Election Commission, political party representatives, international community, media and civil society.

For more information contact:

Council of Europe Office in Georgia

34 Ilia Chavchavadze Avenue

Tbilisi 0179, Georgia

Tel: +995 322913870

The International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES)

7 Nino Nikoladze Street

Tbilisi 0108, Georgia

Tel: +995 322999309