Chief Election Commissioner of India leaves for New Delhi

Lahore, 2nd May, 2005:- After concluding 4 day visit to Pakistan, Mr. T.S. Krishna Murthy, Chief Election Commissioner of India, today left for New Delhi from Allama Iqbal International Airport, Lahore. Kanwar Muhammad Dilshad, Federal Secretary, Election Commission of Pakistan, Mr. Rahim Nawaz Khan Durrani, Provincial Election Commissioner, Punjab and other senior officers were present at the airport to see off the distinguished guest.

 

Mr. T.S. Krishna Murthy, the Chief Election Commissioner of India, during his 4 day visit to Pakistan, visited Lahore Museum, Badshahi Mosque, the Shrines of Hazrat Data Gunj Bukhsh and Allama Muhammad lqbal. He visited the office of the Provincial Election Commissioner, Punjab, where he was apprised by Mr. Abdul Hameed Dogar, Acting Chief Election Commission of Pakistan about the working of the Election Commission and preparations for forth-coming Local Government Elections Mr. Murthy appreciated the working of the Election Commission and said that the Election Commission of India wants to enhance cooperation with the Election Commission of Pakistan for the better management of electoral' process and to share each other's electoral experiences and expertise of both the countries.

 

Mr. Murthy during his stay at Lahore called on Chief Minister Punjab and exchanged views on bilateral interests. He also attended a lunch hosted by the Chief Minister Punjab in his honour.

 

Mr. Murthy called on Mr. Shaukat Aziz, Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mr. Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar, Acting Chief Election Commissioner of Pakistan and Kanwar Muhammad Dilshad, Secretary, Election Commission were also present in the meeting. He visited Election House at Islamabad where he was briefed about the working of the Central Secretariat of Election Commission. He expressed his appreciation on the dynamic leadership of Mr. Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar, Acting CEC of Pakistan and working / efforts of the Election Commission Secretariat for the strengthening of democratic institutions in Pakistan. He also planted a sapling in the courtyard of Election House Islamabad. Later on, he visited Bhoorbun, Murree where Mr. Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar, Acting CEC of Pakistan hosted a lunch in the honour of visiting CEC of India. Today morning, he arrived in Lahore and attended a luncheon hosted by Mr. Justice Nasim Skidandar, Member, Election Commission of Pakistan. Chief Justice, Lahore High Court, Lahore, Mr. Justice/ Iftikhar Hussain Chaudhary, Secretary, Election Commission of Pakistan and Provincial Election Commissioner, Punjab also attended the luncheon.

 

Mr. T.S. Krishna Murthy, CEC of India during his stay in Pakistan, discussed the venues and opportunities with the Acting CEC of Pakistan and Secretary, Election Commission of Pakistan to enhance the cooperation between the Election Commissions of two countries and to enhance the cooperation and to share the experiences and expertise for the better management of election process for the strengthening of democratic institutions in both the countries. The visiting CEC suggested joint training of the officials of the Commissions. The secretary, Election Commission of Pakistan, Kanwar Muhammad Dilshad said, on this occasion that all electoral systems in the world have the same goal of fair and transparent elections for credible and deliverable democratic Governments and strengthening of democratic institutions. Both the CECs of India and Pakistan were of the view that the bilateral visits would definitely assist to learn and to establish a credible mechanism to conduct elections in free, fair and transparent manner and to give credible system of democracy in both the countries.