International team arrives in Chennai to observe the election
An international delegation of 20 observers from 10 countries arrived in Tamil Nadu to review election-related activities ahead of the state’s single-phase polls.
The delegates visited a distribution centre in Chennai to witness the dispatch of EVMs and VVPATs, with officials detailing transparent protocols involving multiple stakeholders.
This visit is part of the Election Commission of India’s International Election Visitors’ Programme 2026, designed to share best practices in election management with foreign election bodies.
The observers will also visit West Bengal as Tamil Nadu’s 6.2 crore voters prepare to cast their ballots.
They visited the Distribution & Dispatch Centre in the Chepauk-Triplicane Assembly constituency, Chennai, and witnessed the dispatch of EVMs, VVPATs, and other polling materials to their respective polling stations.
Speaking to ANI during the programme, Additional District Election Magistrate Ravi Teja detailed the transparent EVM dispatch protocols, emphasising the presence of multiple stakeholders and video documentation to ensure a secure process.
“The distribution is taking place in the presence of observers, political parties, and a video recording team to ensure transparency, and we are now starting the dispatch… Around 20 delegates from various countries are visiting the dispatch center to observe the election process firsthand, gain experience in the procedures and rules followed, and take it back to their own countries,” he said.