Click to play videoNew Delhi: The Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections 2007 was a seven-phase, month-long, first-ever peaceful election. On the other hand, in Iraq in 2007, there is no end to bloodshed with suicide killings almost every day.
Can the Election Commission of India which has just delivered a miracle in UP help Iraq with the democratic process?
The Commission has held elections successfully in conflict prone areas in India in the past. Iraq will, no doubt, pose another challenge but it will be seen as an important diplomatic overture.
An Iraqi delegation will be visiting the Election Commission ahead of the Goa elections on June 2.
The delegation wants to understand the Indian poll process and how it works, including the technology.
"India is the world’s largest democracy and we want to understand the process that go into organising elections here so that it can help us conduct elections in Iraq,” said the Iraqi ambassador Moyaed Hussain.
The EC is helping out other countries as well including Bhutan and even Afghantistan. Nepal and Fiji may receive help too. If there is any opposition, it comes from the Left.
"There is no need for the EC to sully its reputation in Iraq and legitimise a mockery of an election,” said CPI-M leader Nilotpal Basu.
The Commission is keeping mum and while Iraq may be a big feather in its cap but they will prefer to flaunt the achievement once the polls are over.
(With inputs from Sandeep Bannerjee)
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