India’s Election Commission (ECI) and Panama’s Electoral Tribunal (ET) have solidified their commitment to closer cooperation in the field of election management and administration. The two institutions recently signed a momentous Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Panama City, establishing a robust framework for ongoing collaboration.
Led by Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, the ECI delegation engaged in fruitful discussions with Alfredo Juncá Wendehake, the Presiding Magistrate of Panama’s Electoral Tribunal, exploring avenues to strengthen their partnership and facilitate the exchange of knowledge and best practices between the two Election Management Bodies.
The collaborative efforts between the ECI and Panama’s ET demonstrate the increasing recognition of the significance of global cooperation in election management. As democracies evolve, sharing expertise and building partnerships between electoral bodies becomes imperative to tackle common challenges and uphold the integrity of electoral processes. The signed MoU paves the way for a productive exchange of knowledge, technological advancements, and expertise, benefiting not only India and Panama but also contributing to the advancement of democratic principles worldwide. The ECI’s dedication to engaging with international counterparts further emphasizes India’s commitment to promoting democratic values and strengthening electoral systems on a global scale.
This MoU signing with Panama signifies a significant milestone in the ECI’s efforts to expand its international cooperation. Under its ‘International Cooperation Programme,’ the ECI has previously signed MoUs with Mexico, Brazil, and Chile. With this latest agreement, the ECI now has a total of 31 MoUs with Electoral Management Bodies (EMBs) and international organizations worldwide. This underscores the ECI’s unwavering commitment to engage with electoral bodies worldwide, bolster democratic processes globally, and share its expertise and knowledge in conducting free, fair, and transparent elections with counterparts in other countries.
Prime Minister of Panama: Juan Carlos Varela Chief Election Commissioner of India: Rajiv Kumar