Interior Ministry & Central Election Commission cooperation
By Mariam Chanishvili
Wednesday, September 21
Georgia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) and the Central Election Commission (CEC) have penned a memorandum ahead of the October 8 Parliamentary Elections over hosting joint training programmers and meetings to ensure a peaceful environment for the forthcoming race.
"According to the memorandum, we express our readiness to promote cooperation during the October 8 parliamentary elections in order to promote a secure, peaceful and free environment for all voters. Within this collaboration, we will hold some joint training and workshops,” CEC chairperson Tamar Zhvania said.
Tamar Zhvania thanked Interior Minister Giorgi Mgebrishvili for his cooperation and said it was a “new stage” in CEC-MIA relations.
The memorandum was signed after a recommendation from the International Foundation for Electoral System.
The International Foundation for Electoral Systems is an international non-profit organization founded in 1987. This Washington-based development organization provides assistance and support for elections in new and emerging democracies.
Zhvania highlighted the importance of CEC and police political neutrality.
Mgebrishvili said his body was ready and free to play a neutral role and through a close partnership with the CEC ensure a peaceful and transparent election environment.
Several days ago, Mgebrishvili also said his body planned to provide special, additional electoral training for ministry staff and for all policemen to have full information on how to react to different potential electoral crises.
Meanwhile the opposition United National Movement (UNM) claims the police are partial to the ruling force, and the body is not active when opposition representatives face controversies or clash with supporters of the ruling party.