file photo (ANI)
The Election Commission (EC) on Saturday said the Assembly elections in Kerala, Puducherry and Assam drew global attention, with 38 delegates from 22 countries witnessing India’s electoral process firsthand under the poll panel’s International Election Visitors’ Programme (IEVP) 2026.In a statement, the EC said the delegates observed the scale, precision and vibrancy of the polls, describing their experience as “a true festival of democracy”. “Indian voting, this is a true festival of democracy for the whole world…what is overwhelming for me is the enthusiasm of people to vote. We can only learn from this process; it’s a huge process and done right,” Branimir Farkas from Croatia said in a statement.The statement said the international delegates began their two-day visit to Assam, Kerala and Puducherry on April 8 and 9 by touring dispatch and distribution centres, where they observed the systematic movement of polling parties along with election materials through well-planned logistics and established standard operating procedures.The statement said that on the morning of poll day, the delegates observed mock polls and later visited polling stations across Assam, Kerala and Puducherry to witness the actual voting process. The delegates expressed their admiration for the record voter participation, meticulous planning and seamless execution of the elections by the ECI.”Delegates also interacted with Chief Electoral Officers and State Police Nodal Officers of the respective states on the overall conduct of elections, as well as security arrangements. They also visited the CCTV control rooms set up for monitoring the 100 per cent webcasting of polling stations at the CEO offices, describing them as a ‘strong pillar of transparency’,” it said.The EC said the delegates also praised the “inclusive, participative, and accessible features” at polling stations, including ramps, wheelchairs, volunteers and creche facilities, as well as dedicated booths managed by women and persons with disabilities (PwDs).The statement said the IEVP is a flagship initiative of the Election Commission aimed at promoting international cooperation and engagement with Election Management Bodies (EMBs) and global organisations.”The programme provides a comprehensive overview of India’s electoral framework, institutional mechanisms, and operational architecture, while familiarising delegates with best practices and innovations in election management,” the statement read.
