The Election Commission of India organized a ‘National Round Table Conference’ with State Election Commissioners at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, the first such meeting in 27 years. Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar is leading the conference, with Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi in attendance. State Election Commissioners from all states and Union Territories, along with their legal and technical experts, are participating.
Chief Electoral Officers from all 36 states and Union Territories, including Gujarat, are also present at the conference. The last similar conference took place in 1999, aiming to enhance coordination between the ECI and State Election Commissions regarding electoral processes and logistics. Discussions will focus on strengthening cooperation between national and state poll bodies, emphasizing cooperative federalism in election conduct.
The agenda includes exchanging technological practices, utilizing Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), and enhancing the accuracy and robustness of electoral rolls. A presentation on the digital platform ‘ECINET’ will be delivered, along with detailed explanations on the transparency and security features of EVMs. The conference will also cover voter eligibility provisions across states and Union Territories under the Representation of the People Act, 1950, facilitating structured discussions on the legal framework governing electoral roll preparation and revision.
State Election Commissions, established under the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments, are responsible for conducting elections to panchayats and municipalities under Articles 243K and 243ZA of the Constitution of India. The conference aims to foster institutional dialogue between the ECI and State Election Commissions on administrative, legal, and technological aspects of election management.
