New Delhi, July 27 (IANS) Chief Election Commissioner and Chairman of the Council of Member States of International IDEA Gyanesh Kumar on Monday met diplomats from Uzbekistan and Sri Lanka for discussions on the training of election staff, an official said.

The Election Commission of India, in a message on social media, said, “Chief Election Commissioner and Chairman of Council of Member States of International IDEA Shri Gyanesh Kumar today met His Excellency Mr Sardor Rustambaev, Ambassador of Uzbekistan to India at Nirvachan Sadan, New Delhi today.”

“Building on the momentum generated at IICDEM 2026, both sides resolved to work closely together to advance the agenda set out at the conference, reinforcing India’s role as a trusted partner in the region’s democratic development. The two sides further agreed to strengthen collaboration in election management and the training of election staff,” said the ECI in a statement.

During his meeting with Mahishini Colonne, High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to India, at Nirvachan Sadan, CEC Gyanesh Kumar emphasised the shared democratic values and historical linkages between the neighbours and discussed issues related to capacity building of election officials.

An ECI statement, issued on X, said, “Chief Election Commissioner and Chairman of the Council of Member States of International IDEA, Shri Gyanesh Kumar, today met Her Excellency Ms Mahishini Colonne, High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to India, at Nirvachan Sadan, New Delhi.”

“Underscoring the deep-rooted ties between India and Sri Lanka as neighbours, both sides emphasised that shared democratic values and historical linkages provide a strong foundation for electoral cooperation,” it said.

“During the discussions, they resolved to work closely together to strengthen the agenda laid out during IICDEM 2026. They also agreed to further cooperate on strengthening election management and training of election staff,” said the ECI.

Last week, CEC Gyanesh Kumar met Australia’s High Commissioner to India, Philip Green, to strengthen bilateral cooperation in election management and capacity building of election officials.

According to the Election Commission of India (ECI), both sides reaffirmed their shared commitment to deepening collaboration in areas related to election administration, institutional learning and professional training of election personnel.

“The meeting reaffirmed the shared commitment to advancing the IICDEM 2026 agenda, with a focus on strengthening cooperation in election management and capacity building of election staff,” said the ECI.

The discussions centred on enhancing cooperation through the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA), with particular emphasis on improving election management practices and expanding opportunities for capacity building of election staff, said the officials.

–IANS

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