2017-04-11

Presentation of Collection “First Universal Democratic Elections in Independent Georgia”

Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University (TSU) hosted a presentation of the collection “First Universal Democratic Elections in Independent Georgia” on April 11. Deputy Rector of TSU, Mikheil Chkhenkeli; Chairperson of the Central Election Commission (CEC), Tamar Zhvania; professors, students and invited guests attended the event.

The collection that has been prepared by Irakli Iremadze and Salome Chanturidze of the TSU Library’s Georgian Democratic Republic Center offers a detailed overview of the elections of the Constituent Assembly of the Democratic Republic of Georgia. Irakli Iremadze explained that “the collection unites all remaining documents on the elections, as well as newspaper inserts, political poems, proclamations, cartoons and is designed for broad public use.” The publication contains information and documentary materials concerning the election of the Constituent Assembly on February 14-16, 1919 and additional elections held in 1919 and 1920.  The collection offers materials about the composition of the Assembly’s Central Election Commission, its activities, electoral subjects, as well as campaign materials and election results.

The collection was prepared by the TSU Library using archival documents and periodicals. The bilingual (Georgian-English) publication has been released with the financial support of the Central Election Commission of Georgia and International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES).

Deputy Rector of TSU, Mikheil Chkhenkeli emphasized the importance of the work done by the Georgian Democratic Republic Center and noted that “a very important collection has been released, which unites a lot of interesting and important documents. In addition, it analyses electoral subjects participating in the first democratic elections, as well as electoral process and its results.”

“The collection offers unique materials about the first universal democratic elections. Its release aims at popularizing elections, electoral processes. Future generations should remember the history of the first elections, which are important and distinguished by their tolerance and women’s involvement,” Chairperson of CEC, Tamar Zhvania said and thanked the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) for supporting the project.

“A very important book has been released, which helps us understand, where we are today. The book clearly shows the road of development of a democratic society,” IFES Georgia Chief of Party Jérôme Leyraud said.


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