UKHRUL: A two-member delegation from Manipur representing the Election Commission of India (ECI) is on an official visit to Finland to study the country’s political system, electoral framework and best practices in election management.
The delegation is led by Pooja Elangbam, IAS, Deputy Commissioner of Bishnupur, and includes Somaya A. Shimray, Booth Level Officer under the ECI and Headmaster, ADC Ukhrul. The six-day visit is being held from December 7 to 12, 2025, with the delegation scheduled to return to India on December 13.
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According to officials, the visit aims to promote knowledge exchange and foster collaboration by engaging with Finnish policymakers, election authorities and subject experts.
Somaya A. Shimray, who has been serving as a Block Level Officer under the ECI for the past 10 years, was nominated by the Election Commission of India to be part of the delegation.
Speaking to Ukhrul Times, Somaya said the delegation interacted with policymakers and election experts at the University of Helsinki and held meetings with the Helsinki Municipal Central Election Committee. He also said a tea reception was hosted by India’s Ambassador to Finland, Hemant H. Kotalwar, at the Indian Embassy in Helsinki.
The delegation’s itinerary includes visits to the University of Helsinki, the Helsinki Municipal Central Election Committee, the Finnish Parliament, and the Finnish Ministry of Justice. The programme also features an interaction with the Indian diaspora at the Indian Embassy on the theme “Indian Elections and NRIs.”