The Lok Sabha elections are generating a huge interest not only in India but also abroad. To tap into this interest, the Election Commission (EC) has for the first time organised an election visitors’ programme which is being attended by 50 delegates from 20 countries including Namibia, Myanmar and 10 Arab states.

As part of the programme, on April 17, seven officials from Namibia will visit Karnataka while officials from Nigeria, Lesotho, Malaysia, Mauritius and Myanmar will visit Uttar Pradesh on April 24 to see the election process.

Besides, 14 officials from Nepal will travel to West Bengal on April 30. Senior officials from 10 Arab league states and Uganda, Kenya and Bhutan will travel to Himachal Pradesh on May 7.

The four locations have been decided keeping in mind logistics and also the interests of the delegations. State Election Officers have been asked to arrange field and exposure visits to polling stations.

“We still have more requests coming in but at this point of time we have accepted and accommodated only (these) requests,” an EC official said.

Training programme

Besides, on Wednesday, the EC started an election training programme for officials from across the world.

This programme is being attended by 30 delegates from 19 countries. These delegates will also get a chance to see the Indian elections first hand, EC officials said.

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