India takes pride in having the largest and most powerful democracy. We value our diverse culture and embrace secularism. Learning from our history, we uphold a secular constitution and conduct elections in a similar manner asserted Chief Electoral Officer, Ramesh Verma, IAS. He was speaking during the interaction with the foreign delegates, representing their respective Election Management Bodies (EMBs) from 2 nations who have arrived Goa in response to an invitation from the Election Commission of India (ECI) to observe the world’s largest ongoing electoral process.
The invited delegates represent Bhutan and Mongolia including Media teams from Bhutan and Israel. The delegates arrived in Goa yesterday to witness and observe the world’s largest ongoing electoral process of the Lok Sabha elections.
Verma gave a brief presentation highlighting details of election preparedness and management made by Goa for the upcoming Lok Sabha Election 2024. He informed that preparation of Lok Sabha election had commenced a year back with SVEEP awareness activities for enrolling voters in the electoral roll.
The delegates were briefed on various aspects of Indian General Election 2024 including EVM- VVPAT, IT Initiatives, Election Expenditure, Manpower Management, role of Media, MCC among others.
Verma informed that to combat the intensity of heat waves, this time polling booths will be equipped with coolers, seating arrangements , ramps ,sheds and voters who will cast their vote between 9 am to 4 pm will be provided with refreshing drinks such as ‘nimbu Pani’ and water.
Under the Green initiatives, Verma informed that we have set a target to plant 15000 saplings. These initiatives will be implemented in all the Polling Stations. He also appeals to the delegates to take part in the plantation drive during the visit at Polling Booth on May 6 and May 7.
The delegates from Election Management Bodies (EMBs) were present during the briefing alongwith Nodal Officers. The international observers of Bhutan and Mongolia arrived in Goa on May 5, 2024 at Mopa International Airport which included the 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, Election Officer, General Election Commission of Mongolia, Khadav Bayarkhuu. Addl. CEO Goa, Sunil Masurkar and Triveni Velip, Jt CEO and Other Nodal Officers and Journalists from Bhutan and Israel.
