PANJIM: Foreign delegates from Bhutan, Mongolia and Israel visited the dispatch centre at Dr Shyama Prasad Indoor Stadium, Taleigao Plateau to witness how the election process is held on ground level in a country that prides itself as the world’s largest democracy.
These delegates will look at the election process from close quarters, as it unfolds on Tuesday.
On Monday, the foreign delegates from Bhutan, Mongolia and Israel, along with the North Goa District Collector Dr Sneha Gitte, IAS visited the dispatch centre at Taleigao plateau. The delegates arrived in Goa to witness the pre-election process on Monday and to see how the people of India celebrate democracy and exercise their franchise on the polling day on Tuesday.
“The preparations for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections are in full swing. The delegates are here at Dr Shyama Prasad Indoor Stadium to witness the process as we begin dispatching the EVMs and VVPATs. Tomorrow (May 7) they will be going to all the polling stations to see people exercising their right to vote,” said Gitte.
The foreign delegates were amazed by the organised procedure in which the pre-election process took place. They highlighted that although India is a highly populous country, it has once again proved the world wrong about their notion that the election process is conducted in an unorganized way.
“We are here to witness the election process which is complicated, but yet organised. I’m impressed, looking at the procedure as I never thought that the process would be so well organised,” said an Israeli journalist highlighting that there’s so much to learn and observe from India.
The delegates were briefed on various aspects of Indian general election including EVM-VVPAT, IT Initiatives, poll expenditure, manpower management, role of media, MCC among others.
The delegates from Election Management Bodies (EMBs)were present during the briefing along with nodal officers. The international observers of Bhutan and Mongolia included Chief Election Commissioner of Bhutan, Sonam Topgay, Director of Election Commission of Bhutan, Phub Dorji and Foreign Relationship Officer, General Election Commission of Mongolia, Batzongi Uyanga and Election Officer, General Election Commission of Mongolia Khadav Bayarkhuu besides, journalists from Bhutan and Israel.
In this Lok Sabha election, the Election Commission of India has come up with numerous initiatives that are being done for the first time in India. Inclusivity of people with disabilities has been made possible in this election. Special transportation facilities are being organised by the government so that all the people with disabilities can come to vote rightfully, without any problem. These facilities will pick up the people from their houses and take them to the polling booth and back safely.
