On December 3, 2007, with the financial support of Open Society Georgia Foundation was organized conference “Peculiarities of the development of democracy in Samtkhe-Javakheti: reality and prospects”

On December 3, 2007, with the financial support of Open Society Georgia Foundation was organized conference “Peculiarities of the development of democracy in Samtkhe-Javakheti: reality and prospects”.

The meeting was held within the framework of the project “Free elections – means to building democracy” implemented by the foundation International education Centre. Representatives of governmental, non-governmental sectors of Samtskhe-Javakheti region, local mass media attended the conference.

Invited experts, David Darchiashvili and David Kipiani gave presentations on the role of elections in the development of democracy and involvement of the society. The project Expert-psychologist, Guliko Beqauri, summarized and introduced the audience to the activities of the project aiming at promotion of conduction of elections.

Namely, in October around 60% of electorate was provided with consultations individually at their homes in six regions (Akhaltsikhe, Akhalkalaki, Aspindza, Adigeni, Ninotsminda, Borjomi). For this purpose 200 consultants were selected on the basis of competition. They underwent relevant training. An information brochure was prepared for electorate in Georgian, Russian and Armenian languages, which was disseminated in families during consultations.

The consultations aimed at changing citizens’ indifferent attitude towards politics, better familiarizing them with the citizen’s electoral rights and persuading them in the necessity for taking conscious, impartial decision.

Alongside with the consultations, the electorate was questionnaired about election processes and participation. According to data of 2006, the number of voters constituted 138 277 in Samtskhe-Javakheti. Individual consultations were provided to 70 056 persons within the project.

Processed questionnaires showed that:

58% of voters plan to participate in the elections and take conscious decision that indicates the greater part of the society perceives the importance of one’s single vote.

51% of the society considers that the elections are democratically held, but about the same 49% finds that election procedures are not democratic and transparent yet.

Yes      No

93% of population will participate in elections; this proves that activities implemented within the project had particular impact on voter’s decision.

Yes      No

In total 70 056 persons were provided with consultations that amounts to 87% of the number targeted in the project. 13% has not obtained consultations due to a number of reasons: majority of them was out of places of residences (basically, at works or to study), part of them refused to take consultations.

Regional coordinators gave presentations at the conference, evaluated activities and results obtained in separate regions.

It was emphasized at the meeting that in regions where primary problem remains the lack of information, ethno-linguistic structure, unemployment, migration and poverty, the accurate and impartial provision of information is of paramount importance insofar as it influences shaping attitude of the citizens, their values, activities and trust.