ECI to Host Global Democracy Conference in New Delhi
India International Conference on Democracy and Election Management 2026 to be held from January 21–23 at Bharat Mandapam.
- ECI to host IICDEM 2026 in New Delhi
- Nearly 100 international delegates to participate
- Focus on inclusive, peaceful and resilient democracies
- Over 40 bilateral meetings planned
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 7th Jan: The Election Commission of India (ECI) will host the inaugural India International Conference on Democracy and Election Management (IICDEM)-2026 from January 21 to 23 at Bharat Mandapam in the national capital.
Organised by the India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management (IIIDEM) under the aegis of the ECI, the three-day conference will be the largest global event of its kind hosted by India in the field of democracy and election management.
Nearly 100 international delegates representing Election Management Bodies (EMBs) from across the world are expected to participate, along with representatives from international organisations, foreign missions in India, and academic and practising experts.
The conference will carry forward the agenda laid out by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar following India’s assumption of the Chairship of the Council of Member States of International IDEA for 2026. The central theme of the conference is “Democracy for an inclusive, peaceful, resilient and sustainable world.”
Director General, IIIDEM, Rakesh Verma said the conference will serve as a global platform for cooperation among EMBs, facilitating exchange of best practices, innovations and co-creation of solutions to contemporary electoral challenges.
The programme will include plenary and thematic sessions, EMB leaders’ meetings, working group discussions, and the launch of ECINet. The ECI leadership, including Election Commissioners Dr Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Dr Vivek Joshi, will also hold over 40 bilateral meetings with international delegates.
Leading academic institutions, including IITs, IIMs and National Law Universities, will contribute to thematic deliberations. The conference will also showcase India’s electoral framework, processes and technological innovations, reinforcing India’s leadership in global democratic cooperation.
