Voice International April 2020

In this Issue, we share global perspectives on 'Strategies for Bridging the Gaps in Voter Participation.' There are interesting articles, stories and experiences from Argentina, Bosnia and Herzegovina, India, Kazakhastan, Myanmar, Nepal, Ukraine, International IDEA, IFES, etc. Some of the topics touched upon, include enhanced electoral participation through accessibility initiatives, and the experience of compulsory voting towards the same objective. The issue also reproduces a ‘Question and Answer Session” on Gender Equality in Elections with Ms Viktoriia Hlushchenko, the Central Election Commissioner of Ukraine.

This issue also reports on various important events in India in connection with the National Voters' Day celebration. On that occasion, we instituted an Annual Lecture Series to celebrate the seminal contribution of' the architect of the Indian Electoral System, Mr Sukumar Sen. Mr. Sen, as first Chief Election Commissioner of India, led the Commission in the conduct of the first two General Elections in India in 1952 and 1957. He was also Chairman of the International Electoral Commission in Sudan for the first Parliamentary Elections in 1953.