In a major boost to India’s stature in democratic governance, the Election Commission of India announces the hosting of IICDEM 2026 at Delhi’s Bharat Mandapam from January 21 to 23. Organized by the India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management (IIIDEM), the event will convene nearly 100 international delegates from over 70 nations, alongside experts from international bodies, foreign diplomatic missions, and electoral specialists.
The opening ceremony on January 21 will feature Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu, and Vivek Joshi, setting the tone for three days of intensive deliberations.
Structured around plenary sessions for EMB leaders, executive working groups, and 36 specialized thematic groups, the conference will tackle critical themes like global electoral challenges, innovative practices, and standardized international benchmarks. Leadership from state and UT Chief Electoral Officers, combined with insights from top institutions—including IITs, IIMs, NLUs, and IIMC—will enrich these discussions.
The ECI will engage in more than 40 bilateral meetings to promote cooperation on common hurdles faced by election bodies globally. Adding to the milestones, ECINet—a unified digital gateway for all electoral data and services—will be officially unveiled.
Visitors can explore a dedicated exhibition highlighting India’s monumental election machinery, recent reforms in voter registration, and polling operations. The inaugural day will also screen ‘India Decides,’ a compelling documentary series chronicling the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, the largest democratic event in history.
IICDEM 2026 is poised to be a pivotal platform for exchanging best practices, forging alliances, and advancing the cause of credible elections on a global scale, with India at the forefront.
