International Election Visitors’ Programme (IEVP), 2026:
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has officially commenced the International Election Visitors’ Programme (IEVP), 2026 for the upcoming Legislative Assembly elections in Assam, Kerala, and Puducherry.
- The IEVP is a premier international outreach initiative where election managers from across the globe are invited to witness the conduct of Indian elections firsthand. It serves as a platform for knowledge exchange and South-South cooperation, allowing foreign delegates to observe the world’s largest democratic exercise in action.
- Organisation Involved: Election Commission of India (ECI)
- Aim:
- To familiarize international delegates with India’s best practices in election management, voter education, and technological integration.
- To demonstrate the integrity and transparency of the Indian electoral process to a global audience.
- To strengthen bilateral and multilateral ties with other Election Management Bodies (EMBs) through the Election Management diplomacy.
- Key Features:
- Two-Phase Field Visits:
- Phase I: Delegates visit Assam, Kerala, and Puducherry (April 2026).
- Phase II: Delegates visit West Bengal and Tamil Nadu (commencing late April 2026).
- Comprehensive Overview: The programme includes briefings on India’s electoral framework, institutional mechanisms, and operational architecture.
- Technological Showcase: A major focus is placed on the use of EVMS (Electronic Voting Machines) and VVPATs (Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trails), along with digital tools like the cVIGIL app.
- Direct Observation: Delegates visit actual polling stations on election day to observe the queue management, security arrangements, and the process of voting and sealing machines.
- Interaction with Stakeholders: Includes meetings with state-level Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) and District Election Officers (DEOs) to understand grassroots implementation.
- Two-Phase Field Visits:
