The Central Election Commission (CEC) of Georgia is hosting the 12th International Conference of Election Administrations, focused on the theme: Information and Communication Technologies and the Impact of Disinformation on the Electoral Process.

The conference was officially opened by CEC Chairman Giorgi Kalandarishvili, Chairman of the Legal Affairs Committee of the Parliament of Georgia Archil Gorduladze, Public Defender Levan Ioseliani, and Rusudan Kokhodze, Chairman of the State Services Development Agency under the Ministry of Justice.

In their opening remarks, the speakers underscored the importance and timeliness of discussing the conference’s key themes. They shared their perspectives on the evolving role of technology and the challenges of disinformation in electoral processes. Levan Ioseliani and Rusudan Kokhodze also spoke in detail about their respective institutions’ ongoing efforts related to election integrity.

Over the course of the conference, participants—including representatives from election administrations and international organizations from 22 countries—will explore crucial topics such as: the use of technology in elections: global practices and lessons learned; the modernization of electoral processes and introduction of electronic services; the impact of disinformation campaigns on election outcomes; current challenges and possible solutions in combating disinformation.

CEC Chairman Giorgi Kalandarishvili presented Georgia’s experience in implementing electronic technologies in elections, highlighting both achievements and future plans. His presentation offered insights into the successful integration of such technologies during the 2024 parliamentary elections.

“This annual international conference provides an invaluable platform for exchanging knowledge and best practices with counterparts from around the world. This year, we are focusing on two vital issues: the adoption of electronic technologies in elections, and the threat of disinformation. While Georgia has gained significant experience through the 2024 elections, input from international colleagues will be instrumental as we prepare for the 2025 elections and beyond. The high level of interest in these topics reflects their global relevance and the need for a collaborative approach to address them,” said Kalandarishvili.

As part of the conference, the Head of the CEC Legal Department presented an overview of the Commission’s electronic services and election management programs, while Electronic Technology Manager Giorgi Sturua introduced the technologies used during the 2024 elections.

The second day of the conference will focus on combating disinformation. Deputy CEC Chairman Giorgi Sharabidze will deliver a presentation on Georgia’s experience in addressing disinformation, including current challenges and countermeasures.

The conference is taking place on June 5–6 and is attended by approximately 100 participants from 22 countries, including representatives of election bodies, government agencies, and the Georgian election administration.