IEVP 2026: World watches India’s Festival of Democracy
International Delegates from 22 Countries laud Planning, Scale, & Voter Participation
By PIB Delhi
- Legislative Assembly Elections in Kerala, Puducherry, and Assam have drawn global attention, as 38 international delegates from 22 countries witnessed firsthand, the scale, precision, and vibrancy of India’s electoral process, as part of Election Commission of India’s International Election Visitors’ Programme (IEVP) 2026.
- Describing the experience as “a true festival of democracy,” delegates expressed admiration for the record voter participation, meticulous planning, & seamless execution of polls by the ECI. “Indian Voting, this is a true festival of democracy for the whole world what is overwhelming for me is enthusiasm of people to vote. We can only learn from this process, it’s a huge process and done right” Mr. Branimir Farkas, Croatia
- The international delegates began their two-day visit (April 8-9) to Assam, Kerala, and Puducherry by visiting the dispatch and distribution centers, where they observed the systematic movement of polling parties along with election materials through well-planned logistics & established SOPs.
- 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% webcasting of Polling stations at the CEO offices, describing them as a “strong pillar of transparency”.
“The process of election in India is certainly a place to learn” Mr. Uuc-Kib Espadas Ancona, Mexico
- On the poll day morning, delegates observed mock polls. Thereafter, delegates from these 22 countries seperately visited polling stations in Assam (Kamrup Metro and Kamrup Rural), Kerala (Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram), and Puducherry to witness the actual polling process.
- They expressed their appreciation for the inclusive, participative, and accessible features at the polling stations including ramps, wheelchairs, volunteers, and crèche facilities as well as dedicated polling stations managed by women and persons with disabilities (PwDs).
“Inclusivity of highest order” Ms. Fahima Araphat Abdallah, Kenya
“We are very impressed with how the polling stations have been organized, the facilities have been prepared very well, wheelchair, creche facilities” Mr. Paulus Shigwedha, Namibia
- The delegates visited district-level media monitoring centers and applauded the continuous oversight of the polls through webcasting. They also participated in plantation drives at polling stations, showcasing eco-friendly and sustainable election practices.
“One of the great things about India is use of EVMs…some of the things that we have learnt we will be able to take home and see how we could implement it, it’s like a festival, this should be the sprit” Mr. Abubakarr Mahmoud Koroma, Sierra Leone
- In Puducherry, delegates were impressed by enhanced vigilance measures such as flying squads, drone-based monitoring, and innovative initiatives like the welcoming robot, Nila. In Kerala, they visited a Gen Z–themed polling booth and appreciated the enthusiasm of first- time voters, while in Kamrup (Rural), Assam, delegates applauded and also availed themselves of health checkup facilities at polling stations.
- The seamless conduct of polling and high voter turnout left a strong impression on the visiting teams. They expressed gratitude to the Election Commission of India for the opportunity to witness the scale and grandeur of election management and commended its commitment to transparency, inclusivity, and excellence. “While the world watches to learn, India continues to set benchmarks in conducting elections at an unparalleled scale, truly a festival of democracy.”
- The International Election Visitors’ Programme (IEVP) is a flagship initiative of the Election Commission of India aimed at fostering international cooperation and engagement with Election Management Bodies (EMBs) and international 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.
Note: Annexure – YouTube links for testimonials of international delegates under IEVP 2026.
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PK/GDH/RP
Annexure
You Tube Links for Testimonials of International delegates under IEVP 2026
