Foreign delegates under the International Election Visitors’ Programme (IEVP) visited polling stations in Assam on Thursday to observe the voting process in the single-phase Assembly election, including mock polls, security arrangements and the use of election technology. Officials said the foreign delegates appreciated the voter-friendly facilities at polling stations, such as drinking water, ramps, wheelchairs, and other arrangements-ensuring ease of voting for people from all age groups. The delegation also visited the polling station set up at Ulubari Higher Secondary School, Ulubari in Guwahati, under 36-Central Guwahati Assembly constituency to witness the festival of democracy. Notably, as a part of the IEVP, a 15-member delegation comprising representatives from election management bodies of seven countries namely Angola, Egypt, Portugal, Sri Lanka, Mexico, Benin and Croatia along with three representatives from the Election Commission of India arrived in Guwahati on a two-day visit on Wednesday to observe the ongoing electoral process of the Assam Legislative Assembly elections. The visit aims to provide international observers with an opportunity to closely witness and understand India’s electoral processes. The IEVP is designed to showcase the strengths of India’s electoral system to the global community while facilitating the sharing of best practices adopted in the conduct of elections in the world’s largest democracy.
