Protection of personal data in electoral processes – working on recommendation for better protection of electoral rights has been launched

2018-05-25 14:08:27
Processing of voters’ personal data in the voting process, text messages by politicians, surveys to reveal citizens’ political attitudes – a roundtable discussion regarding the protection of voters’ personal data was held. The meeting was organized by the International Republican Institute (IRI), upon the initiative of the Office of the Personal Data Protection Inspector of Georgia and was attended by the representatives of political parties and election observer organisations.

Within the framework of the roundtable, participants discussed the challenges revealed during the 2017 local self- government elections, the discussion also covered processing of electoral roll data, informing citizens during pre-election surveys and other issues related to protection of voters’ personal data. At the meeting, speeches were delivered by the Personal Data Protection Inspector, the Chair of the Central Election Commission of Georgia and the representatives of election observer organisations.

As a result of the roundtable discussion, the parties agreed on elaborating such amendments and recommendations that will ensure protection of voters’ personal data not only during the upcoming presidential election but also all future elections. Specific activities to raise voters’ awareness were also planned.