Punjab Newsline,Chandigarh :
Three-day global conference of the Election Commission of India witnesses participation from 42 countries and reaffirms commitment to cooperation and innovation
The three-day International Conference on Democracy and Election Management 2026, organized by the Election Commission of India (ECI), concluded today at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi with the unanimous adoption of the Delhi Declaration 2026. The declaration is being seen as a significant step towards strengthening democratic institutions and improving election management practices worldwide.
The concluding session was attended by the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) of India, Shri Gyanesh Kumar, Election Commissioners Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Dr. Vivek Joshi, heads of 42 Election Management Bodies (EMBs), experts from more than 70 national institutions, senior officials of the Election Commission, and 36 Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) from States and Union Territories.
During the valedictory session, Chief Election Commissioner Shri Gyanesh Kumar formally read out the Delhi Declaration 2026, which was unanimously adopted by all participating EMBs. Under the declaration, EMBs resolved to work collectively on five key pillars—accuracy of electoral rolls, efficient conduct of elections, research and publications, use of technology, and training and capacity building. Participants also committed to periodically reviewing progress and proposed to meet again on December 3, 4 and 5, 2026, at the Indian International Institute of Democracies and Election Management (IIIDEM), New Delhi.
The EMBs further resolved to collaborate on the preparation of a co-curated Encyclopedia of World Democracies, covering seven themes under the leadership of International IDEA and 36 themes under the leadership of IIIDEM. They also agreed on the co-development of digital platforms such as ECI-Net, training and exchange of transparent electoral practices through IIIDEM, and enhancing professionalism in election conduct and the preparation of electoral rolls.
In his keynote address, Chief Election Commissioner Shri Gyanesh Kumar said that the conference facilitated in-depth discussions on ideal international electoral standards. Referring to more than 40 bilateral meetings held during the conference, he noted that these interactions significantly contributed to expanding cooperation and building a shared understanding of priorities and perspectives among election management bodies.
Speaking at the concluding session, Election Commissioner Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu said that open dialogue, mutual respect, and the willingness to learn from one another reflect the maturity and professionalism of the global electoral community. Election Commissioner Dr. Vivek Joshi, in his address, highlighted that the launch of ECI-Net has been particularly significant in showcasing India’s technological advancement in election management.
Notably, this three-day conference, the first and largest of its kind, began with a grand welcome ceremony and inaugural session and witnessed participation from nearly 1,000 delegates, including international representatives from 42 EMBs and Heads of Missions from 27 countries.