Lok Sabha elections 2024: Foreign delegates to observe Alibaug polls

The Raigad Fort which the delegates are likely to visit. File pic/X

A seven -member team from election management bodies from Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Zimbabwe, Kazakhstan, will arrive at Alibaug, Raigad, today, on a two-day official visit to witness the election and preparations related to it, which will also include the mock and actual polling at Raigad. Raigad will go to polls on Tuesday (May 7).

Highly placed officials from the state Election Commission informed mid-day that delegates from 23 countries (75 delegates), who have come to India, will be visiting polls in six states, in small groups, and seven of them will be visiting Raigad. This is the first time that such a large number of delegates is visiting the country and Raigad, which has geared up to host the special guests. Arrangements have been made by booking ‘luxury suites' and ‘deluxe' hotel rooms.

"These dignitaries are at the level of senior election commissioners and deputy election commissioners, from their respective countries, and will be here to understand the Indian election system (India is one of the largest democracies in the world) and the preparedness to ensure that a free and fair election is conducted," explained a senior official attached to the district administration, Raigad Lok Sabha constituency.

On May 7, in the third phase, polling will be held for eleven Lok Sabha seats. In the earlier two phases, voting was held for 13 Lok Sabha seats. Interestingly, the Raigad parliamentary constituency has been shortlisted for the dignitaries' visit. When asked the reason for selecting Raigad over other constituencies, a senior election official from the state Election Commission said, "It may be due to the proximity of the place from Mumbai and accessibility through faster and easier mode of transport. The purpose of the visit is to observe the entire election process here."

Welcoming the delegates

According to highly placed sources in the district administration, the delegates would arrive at Mandwa jetty today morning in speed boats from Mumbai and would be welcomed in the traditional way with "arti and pheta". A police band will also be deployed to welcome the guests.

"The delegates would then be taken to JSM college, Alibaug, from where the polling parties would be dispatched to various polling stations (2,185 polling stations) with poll equipment. Around 3.30 pm, the delegates would be meeting District Collector Kisam Jawale and his team, who will conduct an orientation meeting and presentation, and would also appraise the delegates about the EVMs and their features'"

Day of polls

At 6.00 am the delegates would be taken for a display of mock polling, an hour before the actual polling begins (from 7 am to 6 pm), which will be done at seven different places in Alibaug.

Around 8.30 am, they would be taken to a few polling booths, to observe the actual poll happenings. Later in the evening, post the polling, the delegates would also be shown how the EVMs are safely returned and the entire storage procedures would be explained.

When asked if the administration arranged for translators, the official replied in negative stating, "Usually, the respective countries' consulates make the required arrangement for translators, who accompany the delegates and the local administration has no role in this."

Asked if delegates would be allowed to videograph, the official said, "The protocols will be the same for all. They won't be allowed to shoot anything inside the polling station on the day of election, and if required they may shoot the outside of polling stations."

Regarding their security arrangements, the officer said, "A deputy superintendent rank official has been appointed, who will be in charge of the delegates' security during their two-day stay. They will return back on May 8."

Sightseeing…

Amidst their tight schedule, the district administration has also shortlisted two places of visit, in case the delegates desire either the Raigad Fort or Kolaba Fort. Officials also decided to hand over a goody bag containing Alphonso mangoes but this is pending approval from the higher authorities.

Meanwhile, district Superintendent of Police Somnath Gharge said that illegal liquor worth R15 lakh has been seized and 365 cases have been registered, while 1,462 licensed weapons have been collected and preventive action has been taken against persons with a criminal background.

Manpower

Materials and equipment required for this election have been provided at 2,185 polling stations. There are 8,740 polling station-level staff and 9,771 trained voter staff and officers, including reserve officer staff, available for smooth elections. Of these, 3,517 are women and 47 are disabled officers. As many as 187 police officers, 2,060 police, 1,363 home guards, 243 CRPF and 23 Rapid Action Force platoons have been deployed.

Code of Conduct violations

Between March 16 and May 3, the district received 57 complaints of violation of the Model Code of Conduct on the C Vigil app, out of which 57 complaints have been disposed of after due process. Of the 1,568 complaints received on the NGSP portal, 1,540 have been disposed of. Additionally, five written complaints were received, which were resolved as per rules.

Restrictions

There is a silence period in the Raigad parliamentary constituency 48 hours before the end of voting. Campaigning cannot be done 48 hours in advance. The Election Commission has also directed that persons who are not residents of the constituency cannot stay in this area for political campaigning.

Dignitaries in Raigad

Bangladesh
Md. Moniruzzaman Talukder, (joint secretary (admin and finance) and G M Shahatab Uddin, director (admin), Bangladesh Election Commission

Kazakhstan
Nurlan Abdirov, chairman (with spouse), Aibek Zheken, head of the CEC chairman's secretariat, Central Election Commission, Republic of Kazakhstan

Sri Lanka
Silja Hilkka Paasilinna, country director

Zimbabwe
Justice Priscilla Chigumba, chairperson and Simbarashe Tongayi, deputy chief election officer (admin), Zimbabwe Electoral Commission