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A three member delegation from the Election Commission of India (ECI) led by the Chief Election Commissioner of India, H.E. Shri Rajiv Kumar is on a visit to Bhutan from 25th to 28th April, 2023.

The purpose of the visit was to reinforce and leverage strengths, expertise and resources that will mutually benefit the two Election Management Bodies (EMBs) through close cooperation and collaboration to achieve shared goals and objectives in electoral management and administration. 

The members of the delegation from the ECI received an Audience with His Majesty the King on 25th April, 2023. The delegation also called on the Hon’ble Prime Minister of Bhutan at Gyalyong Tshokhang in the afternoon of 26th April, 2023.

In the forenoon of 26th April 2023, a bilateral meeting was held between the Election Commission of Bhutan (ECB) and Election Commission of India (ECI) at the Democracy House in Kawajangsa, Thimphu. Along with the Chief Election Commissioner of Bhutan, the meeting was also attended by the Election Commissioners and Directors. 

The two Commissions agreed to pursue collaboration and cooperation in a number of areas, such as human resource capacity development, election observations, purchase and disposal of EVMs, enhancing use of technology, capacity development in videography and multimedia, research and documentation and managing challenges associated with social media.

It was noted that the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which was signed between the ECI and ECB on 24th January 2019 would expire on 23rd January 2024, on completion of five years. In this regard, it was mutually agreed that the MoU would be processed for renewal for a period of another five years.

The meeting agreed that the MoU be renewed at the earliest, upon completion of the required formalities in the two respective institutions.