EC to help out new democracies

Forget the missing names from electoral rolls, incidents of booth capture and EVM glitches. Here8217;s a piece of news that will strengthen...

Forget the missing names from electoral rolls, incidents of booth capture and EVM glitches. Here8217;s a piece of news that will strengthen your faith in the Election Commission of India.

The EC has got a pat on its back from none other than the United Nations for holding 8216;8216;free and fair8217;8217; elections. So much so, that the UN has entered into an agreement with the Commission, asking it to help conduct elections in fledgling democracies.

The EC would not only provide its expertise but also personnel to these countries. Already, senior EC consultants are working in Afghanistan for their upcoming polls, while former Chief Election Commissioner J.M. Lyngdoh has put in place a blueprint for Bhutan8217;s future Election Commission.

Speaking on this 8216;8216;historic and unique8217;8217; MoU with the United Nations, Chief Election Commissioner T.S. Krishnamurthy informed that it was signed between Deputy EC Noor Mohammad and the Director, Electoral Assistance Division in the UN, Carina Perelli.

8216;8216;I see it as a beginning of a very important relationship. In the years to come, it will be necessary to conduct elections in a number of countries, as many of them are young democracies,8217;8217; Krishnamurthy said.

The arrangement would provide an opportunity to serve several countries through the UN and uphold the cause of democracy, he added.

Perelli also spoke of the challenges that the UN would face in providing assistance to member countries, including Afghanistan and Iraq, in conducting future elections.

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Under the agreement, both the EC and the UN have agreed to promote cooperation on mutually-agreed terms and conditions in priority areas, including promotion of initiatives to strengthen electoral systems and democratic institutions, and providing assistance to electoral authorities in member states and conduct of electoral process on demand.

The world body would provide nomination of EC personnel for inclusion into the UN electoral experts8217; roster and provision of personnel, logistical and technical assistance to the UN electoral observation and monitoring activities.