Global leaders gather in Delhi for major democracy summit
India has once again taken center stage in the global democratic landscape. On Wednesday, the Election Commission of India (ECI) officially kicked off the India International Conference on Democracy and Election Management-2026 (IICDEM 2026). Held at the prestigious Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, the event began with a warm welcome extended to international delegates by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, alongside Election Commissioners Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Dr. Vivek Joshi.
Uniting the World for Democracy
This three-day summit is poised to be a landmark event. It brings together representatives from over 70 countries, marking it as the largest global conference of its kind hosted by India in the realm of election management. The guest list is extensive, featuring leaders from various Election Management Bodies (EMBs), members of international organizations, foreign missions stationed in India, and top-tier academic experts.
Expert Collaborations and Academic Insight
The conference is not just about speeches; it is about deep, structural analysis of how democracy functions. A total of 36 thematic groups have been formed to drive the discussions. These groups are led by Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) from various States and Union Territories, ensuring that local administrative experience is combined with global theory.
Furthermore, the academic rigor of the event is supported by India’s premier institutions. Professors and experts from four IITs, six IIMs, twelve National Law Universities (NLUs), and the IIMC are actively participating to provide intellectual depth to the deliberations.
Launches and Future Cooperations
Key highlights of the schedule include over 40 bilateral meetings intended to strengthen cooperation between different nations' election bodies. In a significant digital push, the Commission will also formally launch ECINET, a comprehensive "one-stop" digital platform designed to house all election-related services and information.
Attendees will also witness an exhibition detailing the sheer scale of managing Indian elections, focusing on the preparation of electoral rolls. To cap off the first day, the docuseries "India Decides," which chronicles the massive logistical feat of the Lok Sabha 2024 elections, will be screened for the international audience.
