Lok Sabha elections 2024: International delegates laud Raigad’s election mgmt system

Officers and staff carrying polling material leave for the respective polling stations by bus

All seven delegates from election management bodies of Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Zimbabwe, and Kazakhstan, who visited the Raigad Parliamentary Constituency on a two-day official visit, left the coastal district on Tuesday. Interestingly, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, and Kazakhstan still use ballot papers for elections in their country, whereas Bangladesh, uses the EVM, pointed out an official from the Raigad district administration.

With the presidential elections scheduled to be held in Sri Lanka between September to October this year, Silja Hilkka Paasilinna, Country Director, Sri Lanka, who was amongst the dignitaries, was overwhelmed with the arrangements made by the district administration for conducting a free and fair election. "Though they (Sri Lanka) continue to use, ballot paper, she is keen to put into practice some of the takeaways, for instance, usage of SVEEP (Systematic Voter's Education and Electoral Participation), conducting mock polls, before the election, making the polling booths attractive and voter-friendly by providing refreshments, lights, medical kits, etc," the official said.

New experience for delegates

Day 1: The ECI organised the International Visitors Program for international cooperation and engagement with election management bodies of other countries. Under that, the board of foreign representatives visited the Raigad Lok Sabha constituency to inspect the election process. The delegation on Monday inspected the materials distribution, transport, strong room, and counting room of polling officers.

The foreign delegates from Zimbabave being greeted by an elderly voter

"The delegates were excited to observe how smoothly the entire process was being undertaken, in a time-bound manner, and how the kits were being carried by each of the polling staff, amidst police bandobasts in State Transport buses and other modes of transportation, for polling day," explained the official. "Also, as they were coming from countries, which had comparatively smaller population than India, the overall exercise of distribution of poll materials, by itself was unheard and unseen, before by them," said the official.

Visit to the strong room

District Collector Kishan Javale briefed delegates on the voting process. Dr. Jyosna Padiyar demonstrated EVMs and VVPATs, IT activities, voter registration, and awareness efforts. Delegates also inspected the strongroom at District Sports Complex, Nehuli, Alibag, where assembly constituencies store voting machines. They learned about vote counting procedures and the election expenses' oversight.

Delegates were interested in the Election Commission's proceedings and security measures during elections. They also discussed implementation challenges and noted the structure of the counting centre. Overall, the session provided insights into the electoral process, from voter registration to post-election procedures, and showcased efforts to ensure transparency and efficiency.

Handling law and order

District SP, Somnath Gharge, informed the delegates about the measures taken to maintain law and order. Central Expenditure Inspector, Dhirendramani Tripathi, gave information about the directives of the commission to control the expenditure of candidates and political parties during the election period and its implementation in a very transparent manner. After this meeting, a few of the delegates visited the media centre and held a detailed discussion on social media and electronic media. They discussed the issue of misinformation, misleading promises, and expenditure on media by candidates.

Delegates attend mock polling

Day 2: On Tuesday (day of polling), at 4.30 am, the delegates were taken for mock polling, a practice, wherein representatives of candidates contesting the election, along with poll officials, conduct a mock polling, by casting a random number of votes. This is done to ensure that there is complete transparency and that the representatives are satisfied, that there is no foul play in the functioning of the EVMs. Once this is done, the machine is reset and it is ready for the actual polls.

Polling booths

The delegates then visited some of the polling booths and even interacted with some of the voters. Justice Priscilla Chigumba, Chairperson and Simbarashe Tongayi, Deputy Election officer (admin), Zimbabwe Electoral Commission were greeted by an elderly woman voter. Priscilla said, "I have been away from my home for a week, but I do not feel so, as I am touched by the warmth and humility of Indians."

Silija Hilikka Paasilinna, Country Director, Sri Lanka, even expressed that she had visited the Election Commission of India, in 2022, where details of elections and usage of EVMs were shared in a board room, but two years, later, she considered herself to be fortunate to have witnessed, the actual preparedness and polling in India.

"The delegates were also impressed to witness that the polling booths were covered with decorative curtains and shades to protect voters from heat. Also, the younger children were seen accompanying, senior citizens and disabled voters, and were assisting them to cast their votes," explained an official. When asked the reason for using 14 to 15-year-olds to assist, the official said, "These age groups cannot be biased to any political parties and they were providing assistance, by holding the hands of elderly people and disabled."

Millet Rangoli

The delegates were also touched to see the unique way of using millets (Jowar, Bajara etc) for making a huge rangoli at the district Collector's Office in Alibag. India recently celebrated International Millets Day and has taken the lead in promoting millets and supporting the millet-growing farmers.

Visit to Kolaba Fort

On Tuesday evening, delegates were taken to Kolaba Fort, for sightseeing and later they even expressed their interest in visiting Alphonso Farm, which the administration made arrangements. The delegates even returned to the stock room, where the EVM machines, post the election were brought and will be kept until June 4, when the counting will take place.

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No of days the delegates visited Raigad