A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to this effect was signed between the two countries here on Friday by the Chief Election Commissioner of India, VS Sampath and the visiting Electoral Commissioner of Mauritius, Mohammad Irfan Abdool Rahman.

The MoU envisages 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.

After signing of the MoU Sampath described it as a great landmark and an important mechanism for strengthening and deepening mutual collaboration between ECI and the Electoral Commissioner’s Office of Mauritius. He expressed the confidence that the MoU would facilitate sharing of best practices, skills and experiences between the two institutions for mutual benefit.

He said “the partnership between two important democracies – India and Mauritius – is a very good augury not only for the region but for the whole world.”
Election Commissioners of India, HS Brahma and Dr Nasim Zaidi; diplomats and senior officials of the Election Commission of India (ECI) and the Government were present at the signing ceremony.

Election Commissioner, Brahma offered the available expertise and facilities in India for strengthening the electoral system in Mauritius.
The visiting Electoral Commissioner of Mauritius Mohammad Irfan Abdool Rahman praised the expertise and experience gained by ECI over six decades in conducting the largest elections in the world in a peaceful, transparent and credible manner. He also said that this MoU would formalize the very special relationship between the two Commissions and will strengthen the ongoing cooperation between them.

He commended ECI’s initiative in setting up India Institute of Democracy and Election Management (IIIDEM), which is a world-class training and resource centre and said that his office would be very interested in utilizing its training facilities. He also acknowledged that the Model Electoral Code of Mauritius has drawn inspiration from India’s Model Code of Conduct.

Election Commission of India has so far signed seventeen MOUs with Election Management Bodies and international organizations across the world. Some of the MoU signed recently are with Egypt, Venezuela, South Korea and UNDP.