The Central Election Commission of Georgia informed media representatives on the CEC activities regarding the voters with disabilities.

Ekaterine Azarashvili, the CEC spokesperson, presented detailed information about ongoing activities:

Since 2012 special working group has been working at the CEC to promote andsimplify election processes for voters with disabilities
Special attention is paid to informational campaigns and educational meetings/seminars.
In addition, the CEC has introduced several innovations for 2013 Presidential Elections to ensure equal election environment for voters with disabilities.

v Visually Impaired Voters will be able to vote via special Frame/form for ballot papers, which will ensure their independent participation in elections. The frame/form can be used by those voters as well, who cannot read Braille. This is a brand new initiative and is being implemented for the first time.

v For Voters Using Wheelchair 302 election precincts have been adapted, 127 - in Tbilisi and 175 - in regions. 13 temporary rampshave been created and number of adapted precincts has been increased up to 194 from the previous elections.

v Number of special election booths has been increased from 200 to 800.

v During the polling day ten mobile groups of For Independent Living, the coalition “”will ensure transfer of the voters in wheelchair or facing movement difficulties to election precincts. In addition to Tbilisi, the project will be implemented in five cities, including Telavi, Gori, Kutaisi, Zugdidi and Batumi. The project is supported by the CEC Training Center and International Foundation for Election Systems (IFES).

v Voters willing to use these services should contact the CEC call center 2-51-00-51, or hotline of the Coalition 2-35-66-09.

v For Deaf Votersvideo on polling procedures accompanied by sign language will be available through portable computers at 600 election precincts. 9 informational videos are being aired on Georgian Public broadcaster. In addition, debates of the Presidential Candidates were also accompanied by sign language for deaf voters.

v Operators of the CEC call center provided voters with disabilities included in the CEC database with information on voting procedures.

The CEC cares for each voter and will continue to implement similar projects aimed at ensuring equal environment for all voters in the future.