U.S. Government Supports Georgian DECs Training

• Wednesday, February 22, 03:38

Tbilisi. U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Mission Director, Stephen M. Haykin and the Chairman of the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Georgia, Zurab Kharatishvili, will open the last of a series of election management trainings for District Election Commission (DEC) members, at Tbilisi-based Sheraton Metechi Hotel, on February 22 - USAID reported.  By the end of February, 380 permanent members from 76 DECs will be trained using the internationally recognized election management training  program known as Building Resources in Democracy, Governance, and Elections (BRIDGE).  BRIDGE concentrates on the principles underlying all properly run elections, drawing on practical approach examples from many countries.

According to the USAID, the initiative is supported by USAID's four-year Increased Trust in Electoral Processes program, which is implemented by the International Foundation for Electoral Systems. The program aims to increase the effectiveness of election administration; enhance civil society and citizens' involvement and engagement in election-related activities; and facilitate voter enfranchisement and electoral legislation reform in Georgia.