ECI To Host National SEC Conference After 25 Years

The Election Commission of India (ECI) will host a National Conference of State Election Commissioners (SECs) on February 24, 2026, marking the first such national-level interaction in over 25 years. The conference will be held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, and is expected to bring together election authorities from across the country to strengthen coordination in electoral administration.

Participation From States And Union Territories

State Election Commissioners from all States and Union Territories will attend the conference, along with their legal and technical experts. Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) of the Election Commission of India from all 36 States and UTs will also participate. The last National Conference of SECs was held in 1999, making this a significant institutional milestone in India’s electoral governance framework.

Leadership And Inaugural Proceedings

The conference will be chaired by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. He will be joined by Election Commissioners Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Dr. Vivek Joshi. The leadership of the Election Commission will address the State Election Commissioners during the inaugural session, setting the agenda for deliberations over electoral processes and institutional cooperation.

Focus On Electoral Laws And Technology

The primary objective of the conference is to build synergy between the ECI and State Election Commissions within their respective constitutional and legal frameworks. Discussion sessions will focus on electoral laws relating to elector eligibility in States and UTs, logistical challenges, and best practices in election management. A key theme will be technological interventions led by the ECI, including the recently launched ECINET digital platform and the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). The ECI will also share its experience in the preparation of electoral rolls and conduct of elections under the Constitution of India.

Important Facts for Exams

• State Election Commissions are constituted under the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments.
• SECs conduct elections to Panchayats and Municipal Bodies.
• The last National SEC Conference was held in 1999.
• ECINET is a digital platform launched by the Election Commission of India.

Role Of State Election Commissions

State Election Commissions are created by laws enacted by respective States under constitutional provisions. They are vested with the superintendence, direction, and control of electoral rolls and elections to local bodies. The upcoming conference is expected to enhance institutional cooperation, improve electoral logistics, and reinforce the integrity of grassroots democracy across India.