The Election Commission of India is currently hosting the India International Conference on Democracy and Election Management (IICDEM) 2026, which began on Wednesday. This three-day conference is a significant event, gathering nearly 100 delegates from around 70 countries, making it the largest of its kind ever held by India in the realm of democracy and election management.
The conference, known as IICDEM-2026, is taking place at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, bringing together Heads of Election Management Bodies (EMBs) from various countries. This reflects India’s increasing leadership in bolstering democratic institutions globally.
IICDEM-2026 is a crucial milestone for India, being the most extensive conference the country has organized focusing on democratic governance and election administration. It serves as a global platform for dialogue, knowledge exchange, and collaboration among election authorities and experts.
The first day of the conference, January 21, includes activities such as the reception of international delegates by the Election Commission, the Inaugural Session, and several plenary sessions. Notably, the day will feature the screening of the docuseries India Decides, which highlights the conduct of the Lok Sabha Elections 2024, the world’s largest democratic exercise.
Heads of Election Management Bodies, international delegates, and Chief Electoral Officers from all 36 States and Union Territories of India are participating in IICDEM-2026. Academic experts from prestigious Indian institutions like the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), National Law Universities (NLUs), and Indian Institutes of Mass Communication (IIMCs) are also contributing to the discussions.
Throughout the conference, the Election Commission will hold over 40 bilateral meetings with various Election Management Bodies to enhance dialogue and cooperation on common electoral challenges faced globally. The program includes sessions like the Inaugural Session, the EMB Leaders’ Plenary, and EMB Working Group Meetings.
Thematic sessions at the conference will focus on global electoral issues, international electoral standards, and innovations and best practices in election management. An exhibition running alongside the event will showcase the intricacies of conducting elections in India, emphasizing recent initiatives by the Election Commission to fortify the democratic process.
