India and Panama agree on electoral cooperation

Tags: International Relations

On 7th July 2023, The Election Commission of India (ECI) and the Electoral Tribunal (ET) of Panama signed an MoU on Electoral Cooperation.

An Overview of the news:

• Under this agreement, both the countries will set up an institutional framework for ongoing cooperation in the field of election management and administration.
• A three-member Election Commission delegation led by Chief Election Commissioner of India Rajeev Kumar met with Alfredo Junca Vendheke, Presiding Magistrate of the Electoral Tribunal of Panama, to strengthen cooperation and exchange of knowledge between the Election Management Bodies (EMBs) of the two countries. discussed.
• This MoU reflects the commitment of the Election Commission to engage with election bodies around the world and strengthen democratic processes.
• The Election Commission is expanding its connectivity and collaboration with foreign Election Management Bodies (EMBs) through the 'International Cooperation Programme'.

Fourth agreement of ECI with Latin American countries:

• After signing MoUs with Mexico, Brazil and Chile in the past few years, this is the fourth MoU signed with an election management body in the Latin America region.
• ECI has so far signed a total of 31 MoUs with election management bodies and international organizations across the globe.

Mutual cooperation by both the countries:

• Both the Election Commission of India and the Electoral Tribunal of Panama are members of the Association of World Election Bodies (A-WEB).
• ET of Panama officials also participated in the International Conference on 'Inclusive Elections and Electoral Integrity' organized by the ECI in March 2023.
• It was a part of the operation of 'Cohort on Elections Integrity' under the aegis of 'Summit for Democracy'.
• Officials from the Electoral Tribunal of Panama also participated in the 'International Election Visitors Program' organized by the ECI during the state assembly elections in April 2021.

Association of World Election Bodies (A-WEB):

• A-WEB is the largest association of Election Management Bodies (EMBs) worldwide.
• A-WEB has 119 election management bodies as members and 20 regional associations/organizations as associate members.
• The ECI delegation will participate in the 11th Executive Board Meeting of A-WEB and an International Conference in Cartagena, Colombia.