India and Namibia signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on election management on the sidelines of the India International Conference on Democracy and Election Management (IICDEM) 2026, marking a new chapter in global democratic collaboration. The agreement aims to strengthen cooperation between election management bodies and enhance capacity building, training, and knowledge sharing.
The MoU was signed by Chief Election Commissioner of India Gyanesh Kumar and Elsie T Nghikembua, Chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Namibia. Highlighting the benefits, Nghikembua said, “For Namibia, this partnership will benefit us in many ways, including training our officials and improving our election management capabilities, whether virtually or through hands-on collaboration with India’s Election Commission.”
The IICDEM 2026 conference serves as a platform for exchanging experiences and best practices among election management authorities worldwide. Portugal’s Election Commissioner Andre João Mauricio Leitão Do Valle Wemans praised India’s efforts, noting that the country has managed to reach every voter more effectively than many other democracies, making the Electoral Commission of India a global leader in inclusive elections.
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South Africa’s Electoral Chair Mosotho Moepya highlighted India’s longstanding collaboration, stating that IICDEM offers training and facilities that benefit not only India but election authorities across the globe. He emphasized the conference’s forward-looking theme of reimagining election processes for the year 2050, encouraging proactive innovation in democratic governance.
Indonesia and Mexico also lauded India’s leadership in election technology and inclusivity. Indonesia’s Election Commissioner Idham Holik noted the conference would enhance Indonesia’s electoral management, while Mexico’s Electoral Councillor Norma Irene De La Cruz Magana described the event as an “amazing opportunity” to learn from India’s inclusive and technology-driven practices.
The MoU and IICDEM 2026 solidify India’s role as a hub for global dialogue on democratic processes, innovation, and election management. By fostering international cooperation, India aims to set benchmarks in transparency, efficiency, and inclusivity while strengthening democratic institutions worldwide.
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