TFP Bureau, New Delhi, April 21,2026: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Monday formally commenced the second phase of the International Election Visitors\u2019 Programme (IEVP) 2026 in the national capital, coinciding with the ongoing General Elections to the Legislative Assemblies of Tamil Nadu and West Bengal.<\/p>\n
The programme was inaugurated by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar at the India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management (IIIDEM), the Commission\u2019s premier training and research institute. The event marked a significant step in strengthening India\u2019s engagement with Election Management Bodies (EMBs) and international organizations worldwide.<\/p>\n
A total of 34 delegates from 17 countries are participating in this phase of the programme. The delegation includes senior officials from various EMBs, representatives of foreign missions based in New Delhi, and a representative from International IDEA, an intergovernmental organization that supports sustainable democracy worldwide.<\/p>\n
During the inaugural session, the delegates were briefed on India\u2019s electoral framework, constitutional provisions, institutional mechanisms and the extensive administrative arrangements involved in conducting elections in the world\u2019s largest democracy. Senior officials of the Commission and subject experts made detailed presentations on voter registration, electoral roll management, polling logistics, security protocols and the model code of conduct.<\/p>\n
A key highlight of the first day\u2019s programme was a live demonstration of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) at IIIDEM. Delegates were given an opportunity to participate in a mock poll, enabling them to gain hands-on experience of the voting process. Officials explained the technical safeguards, transparency measures and multilayered security features incorporated in EVMs and VVPAT systems to ensure credibility and integrity in the electoral process.<\/p>\n
Participants showed keen interest in India\u2019s use of technology, including digital monitoring systems, webcasting of polling stations, expenditure monitoring mechanisms and grievance redressal platforms. An interactive session followed, during which delegates raised queries related to electoral reforms, voter awareness initiatives, inclusion of marginalized communities and the scale of logistical coordination required for large-scale elections.<\/p>\n
As part of the field exposure component of the programme, the delegates will travel to Tamil Nadu and West Bengal on April 22. They are scheduled to visit dispatch and distribution centres, district control rooms and media monitoring centres to understand ground-level coordination. The delegation will also observe actual polling on the morning of April 23 to witness firsthand the conduct of voting, polling station management and voter facilitation arrangements.<\/p>\n
The first phase of IEVP 2026 was held earlier this month, during which delegates visited Assam, Kerala and Puducherry from April 8 to April 9 to observe election preparedness and polling procedures in those states.<\/p>\n
The International Election Visitors\u2019 Programme is a flagship initiative of the Election Commission of India aimed at fostering international cooperation and knowledge-sharing in the field of election management. Through structured briefings, field visits and interactive sessions, the programme offers foreign delegates a comprehensive overview of India\u2019s electoral architecture, institutional capacity and operational systems.<\/p>\n
By showcasing best practices and innovative measures adopted in the conduct of elections, the programme reinforces India\u2019s role as a global leader in democratic processes. It also provides a platform for mutual learning, enabling participating countries to exchange experiences and explore collaborative opportunities in strengthening democratic institutions worldwide.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Delegates from 17 countries to observe Tamil Nadu and West Bengal Assembly polls; hands-on EVM demonstration held in New Delhi<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":7001,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[116,162,27],"tags":[164],"class_list":["post-7000","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-breaking-news","category-election-commission","category-national","tag-election-commission"],"yoast_head":"\n