The Election Commission of India on Saturday said Assembly elections in Kerala, Assam and Puducherry drew global attention, with 38 delegates from 22 countries witnessing the electoral process under its International Election Visitors’ Programme (IEVP) 2026.
According to the Commission, the delegates described India’s electoral exercise as a “true festival of democracy” and expressed admiration for the scale, precision and vibrancy of the polls, as well as the high voter turnout, meticulous planning and seamless execution.
“Indian voting, this is a true festival of democracy for the whole world...what is overwhelming for me is the enthusiasm of people to vote. We can only learn from this process; it’s a huge process and done right,” Branimir Farkas said.
The international observers undertook a two-day visit on April 8 and 9 to the three regions, beginning with dispatch and distribution centres where they witnessed the systematic movement of polling parties along with election materials, carried out through well-planned logistics and standard operating procedures.
They also interacted with Chief Electoral Officers and State Police Nodal Officers to understand the overall conduct of elections and the security arrangements in place.
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The delegates visited CCTV control rooms established at CEO offices for 100 per cent webcasting of polling stations, describing them as a “strong pillar of transparency” in the electoral process.
On the day of polling, the observers watched mock polls before proceeding to polling stations in Kerala, Assam and Puducherry, where they witnessed the actual voting process.
They appreciated the inclusive and accessible arrangements at polling booths, including ramps, wheelchairs, volunteers and creche facilities, as well as special polling stations managed by women and persons with disabilities (PwDs).
The Commission said the IEVP is a flagship initiative aimed at fostering international cooperation and engagement with election management bodies and organisations worldwide, while offering a comprehensive overview of India’s electoral framework, institutional mechanisms and operational architecture.
It added that the programme helps familiarise global delegates with best practices and innovations in election management, reinforcing India’s position as a model for large-scale democratic exercises.
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