The 2-week residential capacity development programme on election administration for 40 senior and mid-level officers from Bhutan concluded on the 21st of March 2025 at IIIDEM, New Delhi. The Election Commissioner of Bhutan also participated in the programme. The programme was held from the 10th to the 21st of March 2025.
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar along with ECs Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Dr. Vivek Joshi met the Election Commissioner of Bhutan Mr. Ugyen Chewang during his call on at ECI on the 18th of March 2025. A valedictory session was held on the 21st of March at IIIDEM. DEC Shri Ajeet Kumar in his opening address, reiterated India’s commitment to deepening electoral cooperation and capacity-building engagements with Bhutan. Former CEC Shri T.S. Krishnamurthy also shared his insights on the robust institutional credibility developed by the ECI over decades.
The valedictory session concluded with a vote of thanks from EC of Bhutan, Mr. Ugyen Chewang, followed by the distribution of certificates to all participants. The interactive, case-study based training programme covered key aspects of election management, aimed at enhancing electoral management capabilities, sharing international best practices, and fostering stronger institutional cooperation between India and Bhutan.
Based on the request of the EC of Bhutan, a two-night visit to Rewalsar, Mandi, Himachal Pradesh was organised from the 15th to 17th March 2025, a revered site associated with Guru Padmasambhava, who introduced Buddhism to Bhutan. The Bhutan EC also planted a Ficus Religiosa (Peepal tree) sapling on campus signifying the mutual values of peace, sustainability, and spiritual wisdom that both nations share on the 19th of March.
Regular training programs and visits characterise ECI’s engagement with Bhutan.
