The Council of Europe Programme to support Georgia in view of the 2016 (parliamentary), 2017 (local) and 2018 (presidential) elections aims to assist Georgia in a full cycle of elections by addressing several elements of the electoral framework, as recommended in reports of the OSCE/ODIHR and the Council of Europe's Commission for Democracy through Law (Venice Commission) as well as by the Election Observation reports made by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) and the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe (CLRAE).

About the Programme

The Council of Europe "Programme to support Georgia in view of the 2016 (parliamentary), 2017 (local) and 2018 (presidential) elections" is a part of the Action Plan for Georgia 2016–2019 which is a joint initiative of the Council of Europe and the Georgian authorities and was approved by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe on 16 March 2016. The Action Plan aims to support Georgia in fulfilling its statutory and specific obligations as a Council of Europe member state and to contribute towards addressing the fundamental issues of human rights and rule of law.

The programme, which started in March 2016, aims to assist Georgia in a full cycle of elections by addressing several elements of the electoral framework, as recommend in reports of the OSCE/ODIHR and the Council of Europe's Commission for Democracy through Law (Venice Commission) as well as by the Election Observation reports made by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) and the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe (CLRAE).

The Programme is implemented in close co-operation with the Georgian authorities and other international organisations.

The Programme has several sources of funding - the ordinary budget of the Council of Europe and voluntary contribution from the Kingdom of Norway.

Objectives of the Programme

The Programme focuses on contributing to

  • strengthening administrative, operational and management capacity of election management bodies (on the Central, District and Precinct Election Commissions levels)

  • increasing administrative, operational and management capacity of the Political Party Finance Monitoring Department of the State Audit Office

  • reinforcing the capacities of domestic election observers to conduct professional election monitoring

  • increasing women’s political participation through enhanced capacities for women to engage as candidates and elected officials

  • enjoyment of electoral rights through increased awareness- raising in national minorities and first-time voters

  • increasing the capacities of regional media in providing  professional coverage of elections

  • organising high level conferences with the aim to discuss lessons learnt and to develop recommendations for improving the electoral legislation and practice

Partners

The Central Election Commission of Georgia, the State Audit Office of Georgia, Georgian non-governmental organisations, international organisations, media organisations.

Retour Presenting a research on Election Dispute Resolution

Presenting a research on Election Dispute Resolution

On 4 October the Council of Europe Office in Georgia presented a research on Election Dispute Resolution in Georgia, prepared by Council of Europe consultants.

Simplifying election dispute resolution procedures, eliminating restrictions on legal standing and shortcomings related to dismissal of cases on formal grounds – are all among longstanding recommendations of international organisations. The aim of the presented research was to provide an in-depth analysis of the shortcomings in the existing legal framework as well as the current practice in adjudication of electoral matters both within the Election Administration and Georgian judiciary.

The paper analyses over 1000 complaints filed with the Election Administration and, up to 140 judgments made by courts during the 2016, 2017, and 2018 general elections (including the run-offs), as well as OSCE Observation mission reports and domestic watchdog reports in an attempt to thematically study the dispute resolution practices and challenges. The paper includes Council of Europe consultants’ recommendations on how the election dispute resolution process could be improved.

The presentation audience included Parliament representatives, Central Election Commission members, political parties, civil society, and international community. The presentation of the research was followed by a lively discussion that enabled electoral stakeholders to exchange views on how existing challenges could be overcome in the most effective and timely manner.

Representatives of the civil society organisations stated that the research may serve as a roadmap for the legislature, particularly in the context of the ongoing electoral legislation reform.

The research was prepared and presented within the framework of the Council of Europe project “Reform of the Electoral Practice in Georgia”.

 

Research Analysis of Electoral Dispute Resolution

4 October, 2019
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Funding the Georgian NGO ‘Human Rights Education and Monitoring Centre’ (EMC) to conduct trainings for women candidates to increase their competitiveness in the campaigning process, ensure their effective participation in domestic politics and protect their rights. A special focus will be paid on working with women candidates and voters from ethnic minorities. 

In cooperation with the Venice Commission, deploying an international expert to conduct trainings for members of District Election Commissions on the resolution of electoral disputes.

Organising a high level post-election conference to discuss the achievements and failures observed during the local elections and outlining recommendations for future elections

The women featured in this video are members of municipality councils who won seats during the 2014 local self-government elections. These women candidates are participants of the project "Capacity Development of Female Candidates and Elected Officials in Georgia—2014 Local Elections," implemented by EMC and made possible with the support of the Swiss Confederation and the Council of Europe.

Gender Mainstreaming in Georgian Politics

The Council of Europe Journal video featuring locally elected women officials from Georgia