New Delhi: Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar on Thursday received a congratulatory call from Mosotho Moepya, Chairperson of South Africa’s Electoral Commission, who lauded India’s robust electoral system and extended best wishes for the ongoing Bihar Assembly elections — one of the world’s largest democratic exercises with nearly 75 million eligible voters.
Moepya informed that a delegation of South African parliamentarians plans to visit India soon to study its election management practices, often recognised globally for their transparency and efficiency. His call coincided with the first phase of polling in Bihar, where 3.75 crore voters are deciding the fate of 1,314 candidates, including prominent leaders such as Tejashwi Yadav and Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has deployed extensive arrangements to ensure free, fair, and inclusive elections, including 320 model booths, 926 women-managed polling stations, and 107 booths run by persons with disabilities. Over 15 battalions of police and paramilitary forces are on duty across 18 districts, with special attention to sensitive and Naxal-affected areas.
Meanwhile, the ECI welcomed 16 delegates from six countries — including South Africa — under its International Election Visitors’ Programme (IEVP) 2025, aimed at promoting global cooperation and transparency in election management.
