ECI flags off International Election Visitors’ Programme-2026
The Commission takes Elections as festivals of democracy: CEC Gyanesh Kumar
By PIB Delhi
- The Election Commission of India commenced the International Election Visitors’ Programme (IEVP), 2026, for the forthcoming general elections to the legislative assemblies of Assam, Kerala, and Puducherry in New Delhi today.
- Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Shri Gyanesh Kumar, along with Election Commissioners Dr. S.S. Sandhu and Dr. Vivek Joshi, inaugurated the programme today at India International Institute for Democracy and Election Management (IIIDEM).
- CEC Shri Gyanesh Kumar, in his inaugural address, said that the ECI takes elections in India as festivals of democracy and works towards ensuring it in a mission mode. He also called upon the participants to enjoy the visit to the states, learn, see, and experience the diversity of India
- In the first phase, the delegates of the Programme will visit Assam, Kerala, and Puducherry on 8 to 9 April 2026. In the second phase, the delegates will visit the States of West Bengal and Tamil Nadu from 20th April 2026 onwards.
- 43 delegates from 23 countries, including representatives from five Foreign Missions in Delhi, will be participating in the first phase of the programme.
- The delegates were given a demonstration of the EVM at IIIDEM today, and they took part in the mock poll using the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) to get a hands- on experience of the voting process.
- The delegates evinced keen interest in the technological interventions and administrative safeguards in the election process in India. The delegates had an interactive session with the experts, clarifying their doubts/queries.
- The delegates will be travelling to Assam, Kerala, and the UT of Puducherry on 8th April 2026. They will visit the dispatch and distribution centres and other facilities, including the District Control Rooms and the Media Monitoring Centres. They will also witness the actual polling on the morning of 9th April 2026.
- The IEVP is a flagship program of the ECI for international cooperation and engagement with the Election Management Bodies (EMBs) of other countries and International Organizations.
- The IEVP provides a comprehensive overview of India’s electoral framework, institutional mechanisms, and operational architecture, while familiarising foreign EMB delegates with best practices and innovations in election management.
- The IEVP showcases the strengths of India’s electoral system to the international community and shares the best practices adopted in the world’s largest democracy for the conduct of elections.
