Team Blitz India
NEW DELHI: India’s General Elections have attracted global attention once again as the Election Commission of India (ECI) hosted 75 delegates from 23 countries to witness the ongoing elections, marking the largest international observer contingent in history. The International Election Visitors’ Programme 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, Kumar emphasised 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 scale of electoral process was highlighted, 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 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 programme will conclude on May 9.
This year’s delegation, the largest ever, comprises representatives from 23 countries, including Bhutan, Mongolia, Australia, Madagascar, Fiji, and others. The participation of organisations like the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) and media teams from Bhutan and Israel adds further depth to the event.
