The Election Commission of India stated on Thursday that Chief Election Commissioner of India (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar met Bhutan’s Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay and discussed shared democratic values during his three-day visit to the Himalayan nation.
The Election Commission said on ‘X’, “CEC Shri Gyanesh Kumar met the Hon’ble Prime Minister of Bhutan while attending the ‘National Voters’ Day’ celebrations in Bhutan on September 15, 2026. During the meeting, they deliberated on the shared democratic values of India and Bhutan and discussed the enduring role of spirituality and culture in strengthening the deep bonds of friendship between the people of the two nations.”
CEC Kumar also participated as the chief guest at the event marking Bhutan’s ‘National Voters’ Day’ and ‘International Day of Democracy’ at the Jigme Singye Wangchuck School of Law in Paro on Tuesday.
The Election Commission stated, “CEC Shri Gyanesh Kumar participated as the chief guest at the ‘National Voters’ Day’ and ‘International Day of Democracy’ event in Bhutan at the Jigme Singye Wangchuck School of Law, Paro, on September 15, 2026. During the event, he addressed Bhutan’s young voters, launched the ‘Election and Result Administrative (ERA) System’ and an ‘e-learning course,’ and presented awards to the winners of the ‘Democracy Reel Competition’.”
Chief Election Commissioner of India, Gyanesh Kumar, met the King of Bhutan, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, in Thimphu.
King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck stated on Facebook, “His Majesty the King with the Chief Election Commissioner of India, Shri Gyanesh Kumar. His Majesty met the Chief Election Commissioner of India today, who is on a three-day visit to Bhutan.”
Prior to the visit, an official statement had noted that the visit would further strengthen institutional cooperation between the Election Commission of India and the Election Commission of Bhutan and advance their ongoing engagement. The Election Commission of India (ECI) regularly engages with other countries to promote democratic processes and election management.
