Representatives of poll bodies from 23 nations to see LS elections up close

Election management bodies from 23 countries observe Lok Sabha polls in India, learning about electoral system and best practices

Representatives of election management bodies from 23 countries, including Australia, Russia, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, are here to observe the ongoing Lok Sabha polls.

Seventy-five delegates will visit six States in small groups to witness the elections and preparations related to it in various constituencies.

The Election Commission (EC) on May 4 described the visit of the foreign delegates as a first in terms of scale and magnitude of participation.

Beginning on May 4, the programme seeks to familiarise them with the nuances of India's electoral system as well as the best practices being used.

Election management bodies of Bhutan, Mongolia, Australia, Madagascar, Fiji, the Kyrgyz Republic, Russia, Moldova, Tunisia, Seychelles, Cambodia, Nepal, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Bangladesh, Kazakhstan, Georgia, Chile, Uzbekistan, Maldives, Papua New Guinea and Namibia are participating in the programme.

Members of the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) and media teams from Bhutan and Israel will also participate.

Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar along with election commissioners Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu will address the delegates on May 5.