A dialogue platform “Discuss together” had been established by the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Georgia to facilitate dialogue between the electoral administration of Georgia and national civil society organisations.

On 20 May 2020, a new meeting was held during which the code of conduct (ethics) of the Georgia electoral administration and national observer organisations was examined.

During the meeting, participants exchanged views on the draft code to be used for the 2020 parliamentary elections, to be held on October 31, 2020.

The first code of conduct of this nature was signed by the CEC and national organisations in 2016, before the parliamentary elections. It is based on the following main principles: political neutrality and integrity, transparency and accountability, free and fair electoral environment and proactive cooperation and response.

The main novelties of the draft code are to make joint efforts to prevent and reduce the impact of biased election observation, to counter hate speech during the electoral campaign, to implement gender mainstreaming, prevent and respond to disinformation.

During the meeting, the CEC also informed the audience of the measures taken by the electoral administration in response to COVID-19.

The Council of Europe project "Supporting Transparency, Inclusiveness and Integrity of Electoral Practice and Process in Georgia" is actively involved in the dialogue platform, together with the international community active in the field of electoral assistance in Georgia.