The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Tuesday rolled out the International Election Visitors’ Programme (IEVP) 2026 in New Delhi, initiating a major global engagement effort in the run-up to assembly elections in Assam, Kerala and Puducherry.
The initiative was inaugurated at the India International Institute for Democracy and Election Management by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, alongside Election Commissioners S S Sandhu and Vivek Joshi.
Highlighting the significance of elections in India, Kumar said they are treated as “festivals of democracy” and conducted with a strong sense of mission. “We take elections in India as festivals of democracy and work towards ensuring it in a mission mode,” he told the gathering, encouraging delegates to experience the country’s diversity and electoral practices firsthand.
The first phase of the programme has drawn 43 delegates from 23 countries, including representatives from five foreign missions in Delhi. Participants will travel to Assam, Kerala and Puducherry on April 8 and 9 to observe key aspects of election management such as dispatch and distribution centres, district control rooms and media monitoring units. They are also scheduled to witness polling on the morning of April 9.
The second phase, beginning April 20, will take delegates to West Bengal and Tamil Nadu, expanding their exposure to different electoral environments across the country.
At the inaugural session, delegates received a demonstration of Electronic Voting Machines and took part in a mock poll, gaining practical insight into the voting process. Officials noted strong interest among participants in India’s use of technology and the administrative safeguards in place. The session also featured interactive discussions with experts, allowing delegates to seek clarifications and exchange views.
The IEVP, a flagship outreach initiative of the Commission, is designed to strengthen cooperation with election management bodies and international organisations. It offers a comprehensive understanding of India’s electoral framework, institutional structure and operational systems, while showcasing best practices from the world’s largest democracy.