India Hosts Global Democracy Summit: 100+ Delegates from 70 Nations Gather

The Election Commission of India is hosting the India International Conference on Democracy and Election Management (IICDEM) 2026 in New Delhi from January 21-23. The conference will see participation from nearly 100 international delegates representing over 70 countries, along with experts and international organizations. Key events include thematic sessions on global electoral issues, the launch of the ECINET digital platform, and an exhibition on India's election processes. The inaugural session will be led by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi.

Key Points: India Hosts Global Election Conference IICDEM 2026 in Delhi

  • 100+ delegates from 70+ nations
  • Focus on global electoral standards
  • Launch of ECINET digital platform
  • Showcase of Lok Sabha 2024 docuseries
2 min read

ECI to host IICDEM 2026 in Delhi, over 100 delegates from 70 nations to participate

ECI hosts IICDEM 2026 in Delhi with 100+ delegates from 70 countries. Focus on global election management, standards, and digital initiatives.

"IICDEM 2026 is poised to be the largest global conference of its kind hosted by India - Election Commission of India"

New Delhi, Jan 19

The Election Commission of India is set to host the India International Conference on Democracy and Election Management 2026, starting January 21 at the Bharat Mandapam in the national capital.

The 3-day conference, being organised by the India International Institute of Democracy & Election Management (IIIDEM), will conclude on January 23.

"The IICDEM 2026 is poised to be the largest global conference of its kind hosted by India in the field of democracy and election management," the ECI said in a statement on Monday.

It further mentioned that nearly 100 international delegates, representing over 70 countries from across the world will participate in the event, along with representatives of international organisations, foreign missions in India, and academic and practising experts in the electoral domain.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, along with Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, will receive the delegates and flag off the proceedings at the inaugural session on January 21.

The three-day programme includes general and plenary sessions of Election Management Bodies (EMBs), including the Inaugural Session, EMB Leaders' Plenary, EMB Working Group Meetings, and thematic sessions focusing on global electoral issues, model international electoral standards, and innovations and best practices in electoral processes.

A total of 36 thematic groups, led by CEOs of States/UTs and supported by national and international academic experts, will contribute to in-depth deliberations during the conference.

These discussions will also have participation from leading academic institutions, including 4 IITs, 6 IIMs, 12 National Law Universities (NLUs) and IIMC.

The ECI stated that it will hold over 40 bilateral meetings with the EMBs to further discussions and cooperation on various challenges confronting EMBs across the world.

The Commission will also formally launch ECINET, ECI's one-stop digital platform for all election-related information and services.

An exhibition showcasing the magnitude and complexity of conducting elections in India, along with the recent initiatives taken by ECI to strengthen the two pillars of election -- preparation of electoral rolls and conduct of elections will also be held alongside the events.

A docuseries titled 'India Decides', highlighting the making of the largest election in the world, the Lok Sabha 2024 elections, will also be showcased on Day 1 of IICDEM, the ECI said.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Great initiative. But I hope this isn't just a showpiece event. The real test is implementing these "best practices" at home. We still have issues with voter list errors and money power in some constituencies. Let's walk the talk.
A
Aditya G
ECINET launch is the most exciting part. If it truly becomes a one-stop digital platform for voters, it will be a game-changer. Hope it has services in regional languages too, not just English and Hindi.
S
Sarah B
As an expat following Indian politics, this is impressive. Managing elections for nearly a billion voters is an incredible logistical feat. The world has a lot to learn from India's experience.
K
Karthik V
Involving IITs and IIMs is a smart move. We need our best technical and management minds to solve electoral challenges like disinformation and ensuring accessibility. Jai Hind!
M
Meera T
Looking forward to the 'India Decides' docuseries! Conducting the Lok Sabha elections is like a military operation. It would be great if they show the efforts of the polling staff in remote areas. They are the real heroes.

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