Dispur, April 9 (NationPress) Amid the ongoing Assembly elections in Assam, Sri Lankan delegates made a significant gesture on Thursday by planting a sapling at a polling station in Kamrup district. This event was part of their participation in the International Election Visitors’ Programme (IEVP), aimed at observing the electoral process.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) shared this moment on the social media platform X, highlighting, “A Srilankan delegate plants a sapling during his visit to a polling station in Kamrup district, Assam, to observe the elections under the International Election Visitors’ Programme (IEVP). This initiative promotes eco-friendly elections.”

Previously, on April 7, the ECI launched the IEVP 2026 in New Delhi, which is designed for the upcoming general elections for the Legislative Assemblies of Assam, Kerala, and Puducherry.

Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, along with Election Commissioners Dr. S.S. Sandhu and Dr. Vivek Joshi, inaugurated the programme at the India International Institute for Democracy and Election Management.

In his inaugural speech, Gyanesh Kumar underscored that the Commission views elections in India as “festivals of democracy,” dedicated to ensuring free, fair, and inclusive electoral processes. He encouraged the delegates to fully engage with India’s diversity during their visit.

The first phase of the programme involves visits to Assam, Kerala, and Puducherry, while the second phase will take the delegates to West Bengal and Tamil Nadu starting April 20.

A total of 43 delegates from 23 different countries, including representatives from five foreign missions based in Delhi, are participating in this first phase.

As part of their experience, delegates received a demonstration of the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and participated in a mock poll to better understand the voting process. They showed a strong interest in the technological advancements and administrative measures inherent in India’s electoral system.

The visiting delegates also engaged in interactive sessions with experts, allowing them to clarify their queries and gain comprehensive insights into India’s election management practices.

During their stay, delegates are also set to tour crucial election-related facilities, including dispatch and distribution centers, district control rooms, and media monitoring centers, to gain a deeper understanding of the operational dynamics involved in conducting elections in the world’s largest democracy.

The IEVP stands as a flagship initiative by the ECI, promoting international collaboration and engagement with Election Management Bodies (EMBs) from various countries and international organizations.

This programme provides an extensive overview of India’s electoral structure, institutional frameworks, and operational mechanisms, while also familiarizing foreign EMB delegates with best practices and innovations in election management.

Ultimately, the IEVP aims to showcase the strengths of India’s electoral system to the global community and share the exemplary practices adopted within the world’s largest democracy for conducting elections.