Two officials of the ECB has recently returned from a two week training on Election Management: Emerging Challenges at the India International Institute for Democracy and Election Management in New Delhi, India from 10th-23rd of April 2014.
The Dzongkhag Election Officer of Monggar observed the conduct of the 8th Phase of 16th Lok Sabha General Elections in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh.
Two officials were attached with the State Election Office, Uttar Pradesh Government for a period of three weeks during the conduct of the 16th Lok Sabha General Elections with the support from the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance.
The ECB officials noted the use of EVMs during elections by incorporating the Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Train (VVPAT) and Braille Ballot systems, and the option to choose None of The Above (NOTA) in case the candidates listed are not favored by a voter.
The experiences of the ECB officials who observed the conduct of Indian General Elections 2014 will further enhance the conduct of elections in Bhutan, beginning with the Local Government Elections in 2015-2016.
The opportunity for Bhutanese electoral officers to be part of the great electoral movement in India would further add additional dimension to Indo-Bhutan cooperation in the field of democracy and elections.
Media Unit
Election Commission of Bhutan
