India to help Afghanistan and Iraq conduct polls

NEW DELHI: India will help Iraq and Afghanistan conduct their upcoming elections under an agreement signed on Saturday between New Delhi and the United Nations, an official said.

The agreement was signed in New Delhi by Indian Deputy Election Commissioner Noor Mohammad and Carina Perelli, director of the UN’s Electoral Assistance Division, the official said. “India’s election expertise is recognised the world over,” Noor Mohammad said, adding that the country would provide assistance “wherever the UN thinks India’s services could be useful”.

“Iraq, Afghanistan and Sudan could be immediate areas of activity,” Noor Mohammad said. “Two Indians are already in Afghanistan, one of whom is helping to register voters for the October 9 presidential polls. India will be supplying indelible ink for the Aghan polls free of cost,” Noor Mohammad said.

Perelli said the UN would face tremendous challenges in providing assistance for elections in countries such as Afghanistan and Iraq in the coming years.

Indian Chief Election Commissioner T S Krishna Murthy described the signing of the agreement as a historic. afp

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