The Election Commission is organising an International Virtual Election Visitors Programme 2020 (IEVP) for foreign Election Management Bodies (EMBs) and Organisations from November 5 to 7, in the context of the ongoing Bihar Legislative Assembly Elections. Delegates from over 40 countries across the world including Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malawi, Maldives, Moldova, Mongolia, Mauritius, Nepal, Philippines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Ukraine, Uzbekistan and Zambia etc. and 3 international organisations (viz. International IDEA, International Foundation of Electoral Systems (IFES) and Association of World Election Bodies (A-WEB) have been invited to participate in the IEVP.
In the past, EC has organized International Election Visitor Programmes (IEVPs) for foreign EMBs/Organisations in 2014 Lok Sabha elections; elections for a few State Assemblies in Feb/March 2017 and Lok Sabha Elections in May 2019.
The programme IEVP 2020 comprises an online briefing session on Nov 5 which would provide to the participants an overview of the large canvas of Indian electoral process, the new initiatives taken by EC on voter facilitation, transparency and accessibility of electoral system; and EC’s response to the changing needs of training and capacity building.
On the second day, the Programme will provide a unique overview of the Commission’s flagship programme for voter awareness – SVEEP (Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation).
The Chief Electoral Officer of Bihar will share the State’s experiences with the global audience.
On the last day, the participants are being invited to a virtual tour of polling stations in Bihar.
The visit will be amplified by exclusive footage, a walkthrough of the electoral process, and various arrangements at the polling station for a free, fair, participative and safe election.