PANAJI
Chief Electoral Officer Ramesh Verma, IAS, briefed foreign delegates representing Election Management Bodies (EMBs) from Bhutan and Mongolia, along with media teams from Bhutan and Israel, on India’s election preparedness for the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. The interaction, organised by the Election Commission of India (ECI), aimed to provide insights into the world’s largest electoral process.
Verma highlighted Goa’s election preparedness, which began a year ago with SVEEP awareness activities to enrol voters. Delegates were briefed on various aspects, including EVM-VVPAT, IT initiatives, election expenditure, manpower management, role of media, and MCC compliance.
To combat heat waves, polling booths will be equipped with coolers, seating arrangements, ramps, sheds, and voters will receive refreshing drinks like nimbu pani and water. Additionally, a green initiative aims to plant 15,000 saplings at polling stations, with delegates encouraged to participate in the plantation drive on May 6 and May 7.
The international observers from Bhutan and Mongolia, including Chief Election Commissioner Sonam Topgay and Director Phub Dorji from Bhutan, and Foreign Relationship Officer Batzongi Uyanga and Election Officer Khadav Bayarkhuu from Mongolia, arrived in Goa on May 5. Also present were Addl. CEO Goa Sunil Masurkar, Jt CEO Triveni Velip, other nodal officers, and journalists from Bhutan and Israel.
