New Delhi: The Election Commission of India (ECI) is set to host the Election Visitors’ Programme (IEVP) during the ongoing Lok Sabha Elections 2024. This initiative offers a unique opportunity for global Election Management Bodies (EMBs) to witness democratic excellence firsthand.
The IEVP, slated to be the largest of its kind in terms of participation, will welcome 75 delegates representing various EMBs and organizations from 23 countries. Participants from Bhutan, Mongolia, Australia, Madagascar, Fiji, and several others will converge in India to observe and learn from the country’s electoral processes. Additionally, members from the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) and media teams from Bhutan and Israel will also be part of the programme.
Commencing on May 4th, the programme aims to provide foreign EMBs with insights into India’s electoral system and acquaint them with the best practices employed by the world’s largest democracy. Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, and Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu are scheduled to address the delegates on May 5th, 2024. Following the introductory sessions, delegates will embark on visits to six states—Maharashtra, Goa, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh—in small groups to observe the polling process and assess related preparedness across various constituencies. The programme will conclude on May 9th, 2024.