The Election Commission of India (ECI) will host the inaugural India International Conference on Democracy and Election Management 2026 (IICDEM 2026) at Bharat Mandapam. The conference aims to bring together global stakeholders to discuss best practices, challenges, and innovations in election management and democratic governance.
About IICDEM 2026
The conference will be a three-day international event beginning on 21 January 2026 in New Delhi. It is being organized by the India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management (IIIDEM) under the aegis of the Election Commission of India.
IICDEM 2026 is expected to be the largest global conference hosted by India in the field of democracy and election management.
Participation
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Around 100 international delegates
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Representatives from over 70 countries
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Officials from Election Management Bodies (EMBs)
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Members of international organizations, foreign missions, academic experts, and election practitioners
Key Features of the Conference
1. Global Discussions on Electoral Processes
The conference will include general and plenary sessions involving Election Management Bodies from across the world.
These discussions will focus on:
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Global electoral challenges
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International electoral standards
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Innovations and best practices in election management
2. Thematic Deliberations
A total of 36 thematic groups will conduct detailed discussions on different aspects of election administration.
These groups will be led by Chief Electoral Officers from Indian States and Union Territories, supported by national and international academic experts.
3. Launch of Digital Platform
During the conference, the Election Commission of India will launch ECINET, a one-stop digital platform for election-related information and services.
4. Exhibition on India’s Election Management
An exhibition will highlight the scale and complexity of conducting elections in India, showcasing initiatives related to:
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Electoral roll preparation
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Election management systems
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Technological innovations in voting processes
5. Screening of Documentary Series
The docuseries India Decides, which documents the conduct of the 2024 Indian General Election, will be screened on the opening day.
India International Institute of Democracy & Election Management (IIIDEM)
The India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management is the training, academic, and resource arm of the Election Commission of India.
Key Facts
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Established: 2011
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Purpose: Training and capacity building of election officials
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Focus: Strengthening free, fair, transparent, and credible elections
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Location: A dedicated campus in Dwarka
The institute conducts domestic and international training programmes, serving both Indian election officials and Election Management Bodies from other countries.
Significance
IICDEM 2026 highlights India’s leadership in democratic governance and election management. It also provides a platform for global collaboration, knowledge sharing, and strengthening electoral integrity worldwide.