(a) whether the Government has signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with certain other countries including Georgia for cooperation in the field of election management and administration;
(b) if so, the details and the salient features thereof, country-wise;
(c) the extent to which such cooperation with other countries is likely to benefit the country; and
(d) the timeframe set for the execution of the said MoUs?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF LAW AND JUSTICE
(SHRI D.V. SADANANDA GOWDA)
(a) to (d): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO THE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2844 TO BE ANSWERED ON 6TH AUGUST, 2015.
(a) to (d): The Election Commission of India (ECI) has so far signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Twenty (20) Election Management Bodies (EMBs) and International Organization across the world including the Central Election Commission of Georgia as per details attached at Annexure-A. Generally, the Election Commission of India signs MoU with other EMBs on the basis of its standard MoU. The salient features of every MoU signed with the EMBs of other countries include promotion of exchanges of knowledge and experience in electoral processes; exchange of information, materials, expertise and training of personnel; production and distribution of materials pertaining to electoral systems, voting technology, voters’ education and awareness, and participation of women and minorities in electoral process.
The MoUs signed by the ECI with the EMBs of other countries pivot around electoral matters including exchange of skills and experience and innovative practices which are of benefit to both the signatories. India is presently regarded as one of the most stable democracies in the comity of nations and free, fair and peaceful elections held periodically at specified intervals to Parliament and State Legislatures have been hailed the world over. Many countries, particularly the developing world, look to the Election Commission of India as the role model and have expressed their desire to share the expertise, experience and best electoral practices of the Commission. Such mutual cooperation between the Election Management Bodies of two democracies goes a long way towards fostering friendly relations with such countries and is beneficial for the evolution of democratic systems and practices in both countries.
Annexure - A
EXISTING MOU WITH OTHER ELECTORAL BODIES /ORGANIZATION WITH ELECTION COMMISSION OF INDIA
Sl. No. MoU Signed date and place Validity
1. MoU between the United Nations and the Election Commission of India 28th August, 2004
New Delhi Indefinite period
2. MoU between the Election Commission of India and the Commission Electoral Independent Coted’ Ivoire 10th September, 2004
New Delhi Indefinite period
3. MoU between the Federal Electoral Institute of the United Mexican States and the Election Commission of India 27th October, 2004
Mexico City Indefinite period
4. MoU between the Election Commission of India and the Election Commission of Bhutan. 24th May, 2006
Thimpu
Renewed on 17th Sept. 2011 in Thimpu Shall remain in force for the period of (5) five years or unless terminated by either party
5. MoU between the Election Commission of India and the Independent Election Commission of Afghanistan 22nd April, 2008
Kabul, Afghanistan Shall remain in force for the period of (5) five years or unless terminated by either party
6 MoU between the Election Commission of India and the Electoral Superior Tribunal of Brazil. 14th December, 2010
Brasilia Indefinite period
7. MoU between the Election Commission of India and the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation 21st December, 2010
New Delhi Indefinite period
8. MoU between the Election Commission of India and Election Commission of Nepal 7th June, 2011
Kathmandu, Nepal. Shall remain in force for the period of (5) five years or unless terminated by either party
9. MoU between the Election Commission of India and the Electoral Service of Chile 7th July, 2011
Santiago de Chile Indefinite period
10. MoU between the Election Commission of India and General Elections Commission of Indonesia 16th August, 2011 in Jakarta, Indonesia Shall remain in force for the period of (5) five years and may be extended for subsequent periods of 5 (five) years or unless terminated by either party.
11. MoU between the Election Commission of India and Electoral Commission of South Africa. 11th October, 2011
New Delhi Indefinite period
12 MoU between the Election Commission of India and International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) 17th May, 2012
New Delhi Indefinite period
13. MoU between the Election Commission of India and the National Election Commission of the Republic of Korea 1st August, 2012
New Delhi Indefinite period
14. MoU between the Election Commission of India and National Electoral Council of Venezuela 31st August, 2012
Caracas, Venezuela Shall remain in force for the period of (1) one years or unless terminated by either party
15 MoU between the Election Commission of India and Supreme Presidential Election Commission of Egypt 18th September, 2012
New Delhi Shall remain in force for the period of (3) three years or unless terminated by either party
16 MoU between the Election Commission of India and High National Election Commission of Libya 30th November, 2012
New Delhi Indefinite period
17 MoU between the Election Commission of India and UNDP 11th October, 2012
New Delhi Expired
18 MoU between the Election Commission of India and the Electoral Commissioner’s office of Mauritius 11th April 2013
New Delhi Shall remain in force for the period of (5) five years or unless terminated by either party
19 MoU between the Election Commission of India and Supreme Commission for Elections and Referendum of Republic of Yemen 22nd December, 2013
Sana, Yemen Indefinite period
20 MoU between the Election Commission of India and Central Election Commission of Kyrgyzstan. 12th July, 2015
Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan Indefinite period
21 MoU between the Election Commission of India and Central Election Commission of Georgia. 13th July, 2015
New Delhi Indefinite period