New Delhi: The Election Commission of India (ECI) announced that it will host the IICDEM 2026 conference from January 21 to 23 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. The India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management (IIIDEM) will organise the three-day event under the aegis of the ECI.
The IICDEM 2026 conference will mark the first edition of the global forum. It will also become the largest international conference hosted by India on election management. Nearly 100 international delegates will attend. They will represent Election Management Bodies from across the world.
In addition, representatives from international organisations and foreign missions in India will participate. Academic scholars and practising election experts will also join the discussions.
The conference will advance the agenda set by Chief Election Commissioner Shri Gyanesh Kumar. He outlined this roadmap after India assumed the chairship of the Council of Member States of International IDEA for 2026. The event will follow the theme, “Democracy for an inclusive, peaceful, resilient and sustainable world.”
Meanwhile, IIIDEM Director General Shri Rakesh Verma interacted with media persons on Tuesday. He explained the broad structure of the IICDEM 2026 conference. He said the platform will strengthen cooperation among Election Management Bodies worldwide. Moreover, it will help them share best practices and address current challenges together. The interaction concluded with the unveiling of the official IICDEM 2026 logo.
IICDEM 2026 conference to highlight India’s electoral systems
The IICDEM 2026 conference will showcase India’s electoral framework and operational practices. It will also highlight technological innovations used in Indian elections. Officials said these measures have made India’s election process a global reference point.
The programme will include inaugural and plenary sessions. It will also feature an EMB Leaders’ Plenary and EMB Working Group meetings. In addition, the ECI will launch ECINet during the conference. Several thematic sessions will address global electoral challenges, international standards, and process innovations.
During the three days, the ECI will hold more than 40 bilateral meetings. Chief Election Commissioner Shri Gyanesh Kumar will lead these discussions. Election Commissioners Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Dr. Vivek Joshi will also participate. Heads of participating Election Management Bodies and international delegates will join these meetings.
Academic institutions will play a key role as well. Participants will include four IITs, six IIMs, 12 National Law Universities, and Indian Institute of Mass Communication institutions. Furthermore, 36 thematic groups will contribute to deliberations. CEOs of States and Union Territories will lead these groups along with national and international experts.
After the press conference, officials guided media representatives through the IIIDEM Dwarka campus. Authorities said the campus is fast emerging as one of the world’s largest centres for election capacity building. It also supports the development of global standards. Moreover, it reinforces India’s leadership in international democratic cooperation.
