MUMBAI: The voting process of the 12th International India Film Academy awards got going when Kareena Kapoor cast her first vote. She was accompanied by IIFA Advisory Board member Karan Johar and Wizcraft International Entertainment, director Sabbas Joseph. Later they were joined by Anil Kapoor, Boman Irani and Riteish Deshmukh.

Having cast the first vote, Kareena Kapoor said: “It is a great privilege that has been bestowed upon me to cast the first vote and inaugurate the 12th IIFA voting weekend. IIFA has set a high standard with its voting procedure and has hence established a benchmark for excellence and credibility. This being the IIFA’s premiere in North America, I am eagerly looking forward to the IIFA weekend in Toronto.”

“I have been performing in the last four editions of the IIFA, but this edition would be a very emotional one for me for the organisers have kept a retrospective on my grandfather Raj Kapoor,” she added.

On his part, Karan Johar said: “After going around several destinations in the world, the IIFA is entering North America for the first time. This is a unique opportunity for our film fraternity getting to know that country. We, all in the film fraternity are collectively acting as ambassadors in promoting our film industry there in Canada.”

Anil Kapoor also spoke high of the IIFA and its going to Canada this year. “These kind of going around countries help filmmakers from both ends to network and explore new horizons. It was way back when the IIFA was held in South Africa. There I met a filmmaker who got interested in my film My Name Is Gandhi when I narrated him the script. This is how he came on board and my film got made,” he observed.

The IIFA voting process is closely monitored by PricewaterHouse Coopers (PwC), the official auditors for the event. The popular category nominations will then be available for the global audience to participate in the voting process.

The three-day 2011 edition of the IIFA would be held in Ontario from 23 to 25 June this year.