The Election Commission of India (ECI) recently convened a conference for Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) in anticipation of the India International Conference on Democracy and Election Management (IICDEM)-2026. Scheduled from January 21 to 23 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, the three-day global event aims to enhance election management practices.
During the meeting at the India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management (IIIDEM), Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, along with Election Commissioners Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Dr. Vivek Joshi, briefed the CEOs on the objectives and operational aspects of IICDEM 2026. They outlined the specific roles and responsibilities of the CEOs leading up to the conference.
The CEOs engaged in discussions on 36 thematic groups, each to be overseen by a designated CEO during the event. These themes cover essential election management aspects and aim to gather a comprehensive knowledge base by leveraging the varied experiences of Election Management Bodies (EMBs) globally.
IICDEM 2026 is poised to be India’s largest international conference on democracy and election management. With nearly 100 international delegates from EMBs worldwide, along with representatives from international organizations, foreign missions in India, and experts in electoral processes, the event will foster a platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration.
The conference agenda includes various sessions such as the Inaugural Session, EMB Leaders’ Plenary, EMB Working Group Meetings, and the introduction of ECINET. Additionally, thematic sessions will focus on global electoral challenges, international standards, and innovations in election management practices. Academic institutions like IITs, IIMs, NLUs, and the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) will participate, with 36 thematic groups led by state and Union Territory CEOs, supported by national and international academic experts.
