ECI Hosts Global Democracy Conference Featuring SIR Initiative

The Election Commission of India (ECI) will host the India International Conference on Democracy and Election Management (IICDEM) 2026 in New Delhi from January 21 to 23, bringing together election officials, policymakers and academic experts from across the world. The event aims to showcase India’s electoral practices and foster global dialogue on strengthening democratic institutions.

Focus on Special Intensive Revision of Electoral Rolls

A major highlight of the conference will be the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, which the ECI has identified as a key initiative to improve the quality and credibility of elections. The exercise focuses on ensuring the inclusion of all eligible voters while systematically removing ineligible entries. By presenting SIR on an international platform, the ECI intends to demonstrate India’s approach to balancing inclusiveness with accuracy in voter registration.

Scale and Participation at IICDEM 2026

Nearly 100 delegates from around 70 countries are expected to attend the three-day conference, making it the largest global electoral event hosted by India so far. Election Management Bodies from different regions will participate in plenary and thematic sessions. These discussions will cover global electoral challenges, evolving international standards, and innovative practices in election administration. An accompanying exhibition will highlight the complexity of conducting elections in India and recent reforms in electoral roll preparation and election conduct.

Institutional Leadership and Academic Engagement

The inaugural session on January 21 will be led by the Chief Election Commissioner along with the Election Commissioners, who will formally welcome international delegates. The conference will feature 36 thematic groups, led by chief electoral officers from states and Union Territories. Leading academic institutions, including IITs, IIMs, National Law Universities and the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, will contribute expert perspectives to the deliberations.

Imporatnt Facts for Exams

• The Election Commission of India is a constitutional body under Article 324 of the Constitution.
• Electoral roll preparation and revision are core statutory functions of the ECI.
• Election Management Bodies coordinate internationally through bilateral and multilateral forums.
• India conducts the world’s largest democratic elections by electorate size.

Digital Initiatives and Global Cooperation

Alongside the conference, the ECI will launch ECINET, a unified digital platform for election-related information and services. Over 40 bilateral meetings with foreign Election Management Bodies are also scheduled to enhance cooperation on shared electoral challenges. A documentary series on the 2024 Lok Sabha elections will be screened on the opening day, underscoring India’s experience in managing elections at scale.