38 global delegates praise India’s election precision, transparency

As many as 38 delegates from 22 countries praised the conduct of polls in India after witnessing firsthand the scale, precision, and vibrancy of India’s electoral process during the April 9 Assembly elections in Kerala, Puducherry, and Assam. The delegates began their visit by inspecting dispatch and distribution centres.

They observed how polling teams and materials were moved using standard procedures and planned logistics. They also met chief electoral officers and police officials to understand election management and security arrangements. At the control rooms, they reviewed the system of 100 per cent webcasting of polling stations, which they described as important for transparency.

On polling day, April 9, the delegates first watched mock polls and then visited polling stations in Kamrup (Metro and Rural) in Assam, Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala, and parts of Puducherry.

They observed the voting process and interacted with voters and polling staff. Delegates saw arrangements such as ramps, wheelchairs, volunteers and crèche facilities at polling stations. They also visited booths managed entirely by women and persons with disabilities. Many described the arrangements as inclusive and well-organised.

“We are very impressed with how the polling stations have been organised, the facilities have been prepared very well, wheelchair, creche facilities,” Paulus Shigwedha, from Namibia, said. Branimir Farkas from Croatia said, “Indian voting… 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.”

Uuc-Kib Espadas Ancona from Mexico said, “The process of election in India is certainly a place to learn.”

The teams visited district media monitoring centres and reviewed election oversight systems. They also saw the use of electronic voting machines (EVMs) and continuous monitoring through webcasting.

“One of the great things about India is the use of EVMs…some of the things that we have learnt we will be able to take home and see how we could implement it, it’s like a festival, this should be the spirit,” Abubakarr Mahmoud Koroma, from Sierra Leone, said.

In Puducherry, delegates observed additional measures like drone monitoring and flying squads. In Kerala, they visited a Gen Z-themed polling booth.

In rural Assam, they noted health check-up facilities at polling stations. Delegates said they were impressed by voter participation and the smooth conduct of polling. Several described the process as a “festival of democracy” and said there were lessons other countries could learn.

According to the Election Commission of India, 38 delegates took part in the International Election Visitors’ Programme (IEVP) 2026.