New Delhi, March 20 (IANS) Delegates from 40 countries of Africa and Latin America will witness the world's largest democratic exercise in April-May when an over 800-million strong electorate, the world's largest, votes for India's new government.
"The delegates, in groups of four-five, will be visiting several states. They will also visit the polling stations," an Election Commission official, who did not wish to be named, told IANS.
An electorate of 814 million - nearly three times the population of the United States - would be eligible to vote in the nine-phased elections from April 7 to May 12 across 28 states and seven union territories to pick 543 members of the 16th Lok Sabha. In addition, the president nominates two members of the Anglo-Indian community to make it a 545-member house.
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in coordination with the Election Commission, had last year invited 24 delegates from eight countries of Africa and the Middle East to witness the assembly elections. The delegates had also evinced interest in India's electronic voting machines (EVMs).
Delegates from South Sudan, Jordan, Gambia and Guinea Bissau and representatives from Iraq, Lebanon, Nigeria and Senegal had witnessed the polling process in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Delhi.
"For the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections, in consultation with the ECI, we are looking to provide learning and knowledge sharing opportunities for 40 countries. This is a process currently under way, and we will share more information in due course," a UNDP official told IANS.
He said the UNDP has facilitated learning programmes for several countries in transition and newly-formed democracies to learn from India's extensive experience in election management.
He also said that they were committed to sharing India's experience of electoral management with countries across the world.
The Election Commission of India and the UNDP have inked an MoU that focuses on South-South Cooperation in the area of election management.
Tuesday was a very disappointing day for the Gujarat Titans. Shubman Gill-led Gujarat Titans suff
Rahul sharpens attack on Modi over development, personal life
Akbarpur (Uttar Pradesh)/Doda, April 11 (IANS) Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi Friday inten
AAP to release manifesto for Lok Sabha polls
New Delhi, April 3 (IANS) The Aam Aadmi Party will on Thursday release its manifesto for the Lok
Windies must buckle down or face early exit, warns Sammy
Nelson (New Zealand), Feb 17 (IANS) Former one-day captain Darren Sammy has warned his teammate
Bedi named CM candidate after adverse feedback: RSS mouthpiece
New Delhi, Feb 3 (IANS) Kiran Bedi was named the BJP's chief ministerial candidate in Delhi aft
Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana Discontinued: The government has canceled the Kishore Vaigyani
Coronavirus Updates: Big drop in corona cases, 1247 new cases in 24 hours, only one death
A day later, there has been a big decline in the cases of Corona in the country. In the last 24 h
When India enters the Rose Bowl next month to play the final of the World Test Championship again
Schools are also one of the areas most affected by the Corona epidemic. Now on Wednesday, the Min
COVID Vaccine Until 15 August!
Amid increasing infection of Covid-19, India can present the vaccine on this August 15. The gover
