Election officials, legal experts, and international delegates convened at Nirma University in Ahmedabad for a symposium on electoral transparency. The event, titled “Electoral Transparency: Political Parties as Concurrent Auditors,” aimed to enhance transparency, credibility, and accountability in electoral processes. Participants included officials like Gujarat Chief Electoral Officer Sandeep Sagale and Rajasthan Chief Electoral Officer Naveen Mahajan, along with representatives from the Philippines.
The symposium emphasized the crucial role of political parties as auditors in ensuring transparent elections. Balanquit, a delegate from the Philippines, highlighted the significance of maintaining credible electoral rolls and the involvement of various stakeholders in the electoral process. He stressed that transparency throughout all election stages is vital for upholding public trust in democracy.
Rajasthan’s Chief Electoral Officer, Naveen Mahajan, underscored the transparency ingrained in India’s electoral system through the active participation of various stakeholders like Booth Level Agents and polling agents. He also mentioned the Election Commission’s efforts to raise awareness among young voters and promote their engagement in the electoral process.
Gujarat’s Chief Electoral Officer, Sandeep Sagale, outlined the symposium’s thematic sessions covering topics such as institutional frameworks, technology-driven election management, and accountability measures. He highlighted the importance of dialogue and knowledge exchange among election management institutions, political parties, and other stakeholders to address emerging challenges in electoral transparency.
The symposium facilitated discussions on enhancing transparency and accountability by leveraging international experiences and diverse perspectives. It brought together a wide array of participants, including election officials, legal experts, academicians, and journalists, to share insights and best practices in electoral transparency.
