As the countdown for the second phase of Lok Sabha elections in the state commences, the district administration of Belagavi gears up with comprehensive preparations. Notably, a delegation comprising chiefs and officers from the election commissions of five countries has visited to observe and study the election preparedness along with various stages of the electoral process.
Mustering operations are underway at Vanita Vidyalaya in Belagavi city, with staff being deployed to polling booths alongside Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) devices. Representatives from 28 countries have converged in India to study the election process, with a subgroup of five nations choosing to explore Belagavi’s arrangements. Among these dignitaries are:
- Mr. Hel Sarath, Member of the National Election Commission of Cambodia
- Mrs. Dana Munteanu, CEC Member, Central Electoral Commission of Moldova
- Mr. Dinesh Kumar Thapaliya, Chief Election Commissioner, Nepal
- Mr. Danny Sylva Lucas, Chairperson, Electoral Commission of Seychelles
- Mr. Norlis Nicholas Rose-Hoareau, Commissioner, Electoral Commission of Seychelles
- Mr. Mnasri Mohamed Tlili, Member and Official Spokesman, ISIE Independent High Commission for Elections of Tunisia
Their visit aims to observe the Lok Sabha elections in India firsthand.
Nitesh Patil, serving as both the District Collector (DC) and District Election Officer, briefed the visiting delegates about the Lok Sabha election process in Belagavi.
DC Nitesh Patil expressed pride in hosting the systematic observation of the election process by representatives from five countries. He led the delegation on a tour of the mustering center, engaging in discussions with officials present. The delegates are scheduled to witness both mock voting and actual polling, commencing at 5:30 tomorrow morning, scrutinizing every aspect of the voting procedures.