Page 197 - Leap of Faith Vol - 2

Elections during a Pandemic Chapter 7

On April 6, 2021 there was polling in all five states/UTs. A
International Election Visitors Programme (IEVP) is
two-day International Election Visitors Programme (IEVP)
now an integral part of conduct of elections. It was held
was conducted on April 5 and 6 under which more than
in virtual mode due to the pandemic. On March 7, 2022
100 delegates from 26 countries and three international
over 150 delegates from 32 countries and four
organisations were given a virtual tour of electoral
international organisations participated in virtual IEVP
preparations and live polls.
for overview of the ongoing elections for Legislative
The programme coincided with the launch of maiden issue Assemblies of Goa, Manipur, Punjab, Uttarakhand and
of journal of A-WEB (Association of World Election Bodies) Uttar Pradesh. ey interacted with Election
in New Delhi. On April 6, all Assembly Constituencies in Commission of India's team led by the then Chief
Kerala (140), Tamil Nadu (234) and Puducherry (30) went Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra online. High
to the polls with high voter turnout. The third phase of the level diplomats from nine countries based in New Delhi
polls in Assam concluded on the same day. also participated.

Rajiv Kumar, then Election Commissioner, & present Chief Election Commissioner, at the Virtual IEVP, 2021

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