Marriage likely to take place this week.
If media reports are to be believed, former Chief Election Commissioner of India (CEC) SY Quraishi and incumbent election commissioner of Nepal Ila Sharma are all set to tie the knot soon. The Telegraph reported that the duo is likely to get married this week.
The top election officers of the neighboring countries met last year in Mexico during a conference on ‘money in politics. According to the report, the couple developed a relationship after the meeting which is likely to have a positive conclusion soon.
69-year-old Quraishi has reportedly admitted having a “personal bond”with Sharma “This is a personal bond between us,” The Telegraph quoted him as saying.
Some family members of Quraishi have also confirmed the marriage saying that the preparations are in the final stage. “You will hear the good news soon”, said a relative of Quraishi.
Though they had tried to get married twice, it was delayed due to various reasons. However, they are facing mild resistance from their family members.
A 1971-batch IAS officer from Haryana cadre, Quraishi served as the Chief Election Commissioner of India from 30 July 2010 to 10 June 2012. He has a Ph.D. in Communications and Social marketing. A St. Stephen’s College alumnus, Quraishi is divorced from Humra Quraishi, a journalist, and columnist.
Ila Sharma, 49, holds a graduation in Sanskrit and Nepali literature from the Sampurnanand Sanskrit University in Varanasi. She earned her law degree from Gorakhpur University in 1987.
Sharma’s husband Nawaraj Poudel, who was a police inspector, was killed by Maoists in Western Nepal, 15 years ago. In 2013, she became the Chief Election Commissioner of Nepal for a six-year-term.