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Poster saying in Georgian
"Together for Better Future"
POST-ELECTION UPDATE:
In its preliminary findings the
OSCE/ODIHR International Election Observation Mission noted, as
a positive element in these elections, “less police presence in
and around polling stations.” Interviews with police officers
conducted by GEAP observation teams on E-Day in 13 different
districts, revealed an exemplary knowledge and compliance with
their intended role in elections, both as voters and law
enforcement officers.
Transparency International Georgia
(TIG), the implementing partner, conducted seminars with the
participation of policemen in 65 districts of Georgia. During
the meetings the trainers and the policemen discussed the
voters’ rights, the rights and prohibitions of the police
representatives with the respect to Election Day. An estimated
119 seminars have taken place throughout the country with the
participation of over 2,850 policemen. TIG carried out repeat
sessions in areas where GEAP noted weaknesses.
TIG disseminated 15 000 brochures
describing the voting rights and the rights and duties of the
policemen during the elections. First State Channel ran a PSA
presenting the positive policemen, thus setting higher standards
for the police. TIG also distributed 10,000 posters, which could
be seen in the streets of Tbilisi and the regions. On Election
Day TIG visited polling stations in different parts of the
country in order to evaluate the police participation in the
election process and thus, the outcomes of this project.
The project implemented by TIG
sets the first precedent of constructive partnership between a
non-governmental organization and the police. Also, for the
first time the attitudes of the policemen towards their
involvement in the election process and the problems they have
been facing while carrying out their duties were determined.
23 MARCH 2004 UPDATE:
As of 22 March in total some 109
voter education meetings were held, which were attended by
approximately 3,500 law enforcement officers. Shooting and
editing of a Public Service Announcement has been finalized and
it is currently being broadcast on the State television covering
the entire territory of Georgia. OSCE monitoring visits in
Tbilisi and Eastern Georgia were conducted on 19 and 22 March
2004.
18 MARCH 2004 UPDATE:
Printed material is being
distributed and training sessions have been conducted in 13
cities across 6 regions. In total some 30 voter education
meetings were held attended by approximately 1400 law
enforcement officers. Training sessions have been extended from
3 hour sessions to one-day session. While this will decrease the
total number of reached officers, it is expected that actual
impact will be improved. Shooting and editing of Public Service
Announcement has been finalized. OSCE monitoring visits were
conducted on 18 March 2004.
10 MARCH 2004 UPDATE:
During the past week, regional
trainers met with the Heads of Regional Police Departments to
review the training schedules for the respective regions.
Printed material distribution and training sessions started in
Telavi, Tsalka, Gori, Akhaltsikhe, Ambrolauri, Chokhatauri,
Baghdati. PSA editing is in process by the subcontracted agency.
This week trainings are planned to start in Tbilisi and western
part of Georgia.
4 MARCH 2004 UPDATE:
Project implementation
started with the schedule of a first round of the 84 training
sessions being agreed with the Ministry of Interior. Training of ten
trainers was conducted and they deployed to the regions on 3 March
2004. The following activities are in progress:
surveys among the police force, preparation of TV ads and training
evaluation forms, printing of the material.
24 FEBRUARY 2004 UPDATE:
The project agreement was
signed on 20 February with Transparency International Georgia for
the Voter Education Project for Georgian Law Enforcement Structures.
Project implementation has already started and the following
activities are in progress: surveys
among the police force, training of 10 trainers, preparation of TV
ads and feedback forms, identification of geographic distribution of
military bases and police units, information campaign print, liaison
with new presidents' office and the Ministry of Interior.
11 FEBRUARY 2004 UPDATE:
Negotiation with the
Transparency International Georgia on the details of an agreement is
ongoing.
SHORT DESCRIPTION
The project envisages to
execute a comprehensive voter education campaign for the target
group. The training will be aimed to address causes of electoral
violations such as illegal police intervention, open polling at
police compounds, etc. as observed during previous elections in
Georgia.
A group of trainers will
carry out voter education meetings instructing the police on voting
and counting procedures, stressing freedom of choice and secrecy of
ballot, as well as other priorities identified by a preliminary
survey. The Ministry of Interior will ensure that meetings with law
enforcement agents will be organized through local or rayon level
police stations, depending on size of target group, with the total
outreach provisioned at around 10.000 policemen. The proposal also
envisages the production of posters, other visual material and a
media campaign aimed at the police force, their respective families
and society in the whole.
This project will entail a
comprehensive election monitoring component, including a
post-election assessment phase. The Transparency International
Georgia (TIG) will conduct monitoring on Election Day, as well as
voluntary and anonymous post-election interviews among the police
force.
The immediate result of this
project should be the mobilization in line with democratic
principles of the police force in the March 28 Parliamentary
Elections. The target group will be in a better position to make
political choices freely as a result of obtaining relevant
information.
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