Thiruvananthapuram, April 9: In a significant demonstration of India’s electoral credibility, the Election Commission of India (ECI) warmly welcomed a high-level international delegation as part of its ‘International Election Visitor Program – 2026’ (IEVP) to observe the Kerala Assembly elections.
Voting commenced at 7 AM on Thursday to elect 140 legislators in Kerala.
Under the first phase of the IEVP, a 43-member international delegation representing 23 countries arrived in Thiruvananthapuram. The purpose of this visit is to provide the international delegation with firsthand experience of India’s robust and technology-driven electoral process.
The team distributed sweets to first-time voters, marking an initiative to boost enthusiasm among voters, led by Chief Electoral Officer Ratan U. Khelkar.
On the election day, April 9, the international delegation’s schedule was quite busy, showcasing the state’s diverse and inclusive election management model.
Observers began their work at 6 AM, conducting a mock poll at booth number 104 at Cotton Hill LP School in Vazuthakad. This exercise aimed to demonstrate the transparency of the voting process and the integrity of the system before actual voting began.
The team also visited a pink booth at Kendriya Vidyalaya, Pattom, followed by an inspection of a model polling booth at Government Model GHSS, Pattom. Both centers reflect increased voter participation.
A youth-operated polling booth at Government Girls Higher Secondary School in Perurkkada was another significant stop, highlighting efforts to enhance the active participation of young citizens in the democratic process.
In addition to visiting polling centers, the delegation inspected the control room at the district collectorate, gaining insights into the backend coordination and real-time monitoring processes, which are crucial for large-scale election management.
Officials stated that this initiative aims not only to showcase India’s electoral efficiency and inclusiveness but also to facilitate the exchange of global best practices in election management.
This program positions India as a strong and exemplary model in the realm of democratic governance.
Previously, the ECI reported that international representatives had visited polling centers in Kochi, Kerala, observing the voting process as a ‘festival of democracy’ and appreciating the extensive and systematic preparations made for the elections.
Arpit Soni has had a passion for journalism since the beginning. Now he has turned this hobby into his profession. Arpit, who is a resident of Udaipur, enjoys editing and writing news related to journalism. He has worked as a Senior Content Producer in several important roles at Bhaskar, Patrika, Pratahkal, Punjab Kesari, and Times. Arpit completed his schooling in Udaipur and Jaipur. He has been working in the media industry for more than 10 years, and his journey is still continuing. ✍️📚
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