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Global Events

South Africa and Mauritius

Visit of Indian Delegation

E CI delegation led by Sushil Chandra, Former

Chief Election Commissioner of India visited
South Africa and Mauritius from April
9 to April 19, 2022. During the visit, interactions
with the large NRI community in the two countries
were organised. He urged the Indian community to
register as the Overseas Voters and assured them
that the extension of the ETPBS facility to overseas
voters is under consideration. Moreover, a series and enhancing the sense of belonging of the
of meetings with the Election Commission of South members. More avenues must be explored so that
Africa and Mauritius were held. Both Election the members can interact and meet more often.
Management Bodies (EMBs) are also MOU partners Chandra recapitulated the numerous activities
with ECI. and initiatives taken by ECI for strengthening
The three countries share a relationship that is cooperation among A-WEB members by way of
fundamental, unique, and rooted in the collective organizing webinars, International Election Visitor
experiences and cumulative strength of their people. Programme events, and also coming out with several
The major highlight of the visit was the rare occasion international publications. Thereafter, he shared
of a tripartite meeting between Sushil Chandra, India’s experience of conducting 11 State Assembly
Former CEC India; Glen Mashinini, Chairperson, Elections and various by-elections during the
Electoral Commission of South Africa and Jonghyun unprecedented time of the COVID-19 pandemic and
Choe, Secretary-General, Association of World the new protocols devised by ECI for conducting
Election Bodies (AWEB) held at Pretoria on April 12. safe elections from the perspective of voters, polling
During the meeting, it was acknowledged that personnel, and polling stations. While highlighting
the A-WEB had EMBs with a lot of experience the need for A-WEB to reinvent itself, Chandra
and expertise which could assist and advise those stressed three areas for further strengthening of this
EMBs who were looking for further development institution.
and up-gradation of their systems. It was felt that First, A-WEB must endeavour to come out with
the focus must now be on increasing membership standard protocols for various aspects of election
management which will be known
as A-WEB global standards and will
help EMBs to work towards achieving
these goals. Two, increasing the
interaction between members through
regional thematic summits, celebrating
significant dates in the AWEB calendar
like its foundation day on the pattern
of India’s National Voters’ Day, and
developing an annual activities calendar
for A-WEB. Three, intensifying sharing
of best practices, training, and capacity
building. He offered that ECI would

October 2022 | VoICE International | 61