New Delhi: As it turns 60 next week and is
set to celebrate its achievements in the conduct of free and
fair elections in the country, the Election Commission (EC)
has received a request from neighbouring Pakistan to share its
experience in the field.
Pakistan Chief Election Commissioner Justice Hamid Ali
Mirza, who is among several heads of electoral bodies invited
for EC's Diamond Jubilee celebrations, would be holding
bilateral talks with Election Commissioners here.
"Pakistan has requested and the Commission has agreed
for bilateral talks. Several delegations have also requested
for sharing the Indian experience and processes of poll
management," Akshay Raut, EC's Director General (Information),
said while briefing reporters on the programme of celebrations
to be inaugurated by President Pratibha Patil on January 25.
Vice President Hamid Ansari and Prime Minister Manmohan
Singh would also attend the function on the opening day.
Nearly 40 heads of electoral bodies from across the
globe, majority of whom being from the Commonwealth countries
including South Asian neighbours have agreed to attend the
functions, he said, adding representative from all SAARC
countries besides those from the United States and Russia
would be attending.
While the President would release a commemorative stamp
on the occasion, the Vice President would release a 250-page
book titled "Reinforcing Indian Democracy - Lok Sabha Election
2009".
The EC would also hold an international symposium on
"Sharing Best Electoral Practices" on January 27.
PTI
First Published: Tuesday, January 19, 2010, 18:42