India’s General Elections have attracted global attention once again as the Election Commission of India (ECI) hosts its International Election Visitors’ Programme (IEVP), welcoming 75 delegates from 23 countries. The inauguration ceremony held in New Delhi saw the presence of Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, along with ECs Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu.
Addressing the delegates, Rajiv Kumar emphasized India’s significant contribution to the global democratic landscape. He highlighted the unique aspect of Indian elections where registration and voting are voluntary, underlining the ECI’s role in encouraging participation through persuasion and voter awareness programs.
The sheer scale of India’s electoral process was emphasized, with a staggering 970 million eligible voters expected to be welcomed by over 15 million polling personnel at over 1 million polling stations across the country. Kumar invited the delegates to witness the diversity of India’s electorate firsthand, describing it as a “festival of democracy.”
Bilateral interactions were held with Chief Election Commissioners from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Nepal, alongside their delegations, further fostering international cooperation in electoral practices.
The delegates were briefed on various aspects of Indian General Elections 2024, including Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT), IT initiatives, and the role of media and social media. They will split into groups to visit six states—Maharashtra, Goa, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh—to observe polling and related preparedness in different constituencies. The program will conclude on May 9, 2024.
This year’s delegation, the largest ever, comprises representatives from 23 countries, including Bhutan, Mongolia, Australia, Madagascar, Fiji, and others. The participation of organizations like the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) and media teams from Bhutan and Israel adds further depth to the event.