Maharashtra's CEO-Led Delegation to Observe Colombian Elections
Synopsis
A five-member team from Maharashtra, headed by CEO S Chockalingam, embarks on a pivotal mission to Colombia as international observers for the congressional elections. This initiative underscores India's commitment to global electoral best practices.
Key Takeaways
Delegation from Maharashtra: A five-member team is heading to Colombia.
International Observation Mission: They will observe the elections for the Congress of the Republic of Colombia.
Dates: The mission runs from March 6 to 10, with elections on March 8.
Global Engagement: The mission is part of India's initiative to share electoral practices.
Formal Invitation: The delegation was invited by Colombia's electoral authority.
Mumbai, March 5 (NationPress) A delegation of five members from Maharashtra, led by the state's Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) S Chockalingam, is set to embark on a journey to Colombia as part of the International Observation Mission for the upcoming elections of the Congress of the Republic of Colombia. This mission will take place from March 6 to 10, with the elections slated for March 8.
The members accompanying Chockalingam include Ashirwad Kumar, District Election Officer & Collector of Solapur; Manohar Ramchandra Parkar, Joint Chief Electoral Officer & Deputy Secretary of Maharashtra; Priyesh Lakhuchand Mahajan, Electoral Registration Officer for the 59-Ramtek Assembly Constituency and Sub-divisional Officer in Ramtek, Nagpur; and Sagar Ashok Shirke, Booth Level Officer (Talathi-Ozar) of Niphad, Nashik.
This initiative falls under the Election Commission of India (ECI)’s Global Engagement for Electoral Excellence (GEEE), which aims to explore international best practices in electoral management while sharing India’s institutional knowledge globally.
As part of this initiative, specific countries have been designated for focused engagement with respective Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) across the states.
The Republic of Colombia has been allocated to the state of Maharashtra in this context.
Consequently, a five-member delegation led by the Chief Electoral Officer of Maharashtra will officially visit Colombia from March 6 to 10 to fulfill this initiative's objectives.
With the Colombian Congress elections set for March 8, the Presidente of the Consejo Nacional Electoral in Colombia has formally invited the delegation led by S Chockalingam to serve as International Observers.
The Indian International Institute of Democracy and Election Management has secured the necessary permissions for this trip from the Ministry of External Affairs and received approval from the Election Commission of India, as communicated in their letter dated February 10 this year.
Point of View
Showcasing its commitment to sharing electoral expertise while learning from international best practices. Engaging in such missions enhances bilateral relations and reinforces democratic values.
NationPress
2 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of the Maharashtra delegation's visit to Colombia?
The delegation aims to serve as international observers for the congressional elections in Colombia, promoting knowledge-sharing and understanding of electoral practices.
Who is leading the delegation to Colombia?
The delegation is led by S Chockalingam, the Chief Electoral Officer of Maharashtra.
When are the elections taking place in Colombia?
The elections in Colombia are scheduled for March 8, 2023.
What is the Global Engagement for Electoral Excellence (GEEE)?
GEEE is an initiative by the Election Commission of India aimed at exploring international best practices in electoral management and sharing India's expertise globally.
How was the delegation's visit approved?
The Indian International Institute of Democracy and Election Management secured required clearances from the Ministry of External Affairs and approval from the Election Commission of India.
