India will host the inaugural India International Conference on Democracy and Election Management (IICDEM) 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, from 21 January 2026. The three-day event is being positioned as the largest global conference in the field of democracy and election management hosted by India. Around 100 international delegates from more than 70 countries are expected to attend, along with representatives of international organisations, foreign missions, and experts in electoral affairs.
Conference Overview
The conference is organised by the India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management (IIIDEM) under the Election Commission of India (ECI). The opening session will be attended by the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners. The programme will bring together Election Management Bodies, policy experts, academics, and practitioners to discuss electoral governance.
Key Themes and Sessions
The agenda includes:
- Inaugural Session and EMB Leaders’ Plenary.
- Working Group Meetings of Election Management Bodies.
- Thematic sessions on global electoral issues.
- Discussion on model international electoral standards.
- Exchange of innovations and best practices in election processes.
Academic and Institutional Participation
A total of 36 thematic groups will be led by Chief Electoral Officers of States and Union Territories, with support from national and international academic experts. Participation is expected from leading institutions, including IITs, IIMs, National Law Universities, and the Indian Institute of Mass Communication. The conference is designed to deepen comparative learning in electoral administration.
ECI Initiatives and Side Events
The ECI will also hold more than 40 bilateral meetings with participating EMBs to strengthen cooperation on common electoral challenges. During the event, the Commission will formally launch ECINET, a one-stop digital platform for election-related information and services. An exhibition on the scale of Indian elections and recent reforms in electoral roll preparation and election conduct will be held. The docuseries India Decides, on the Lok Sabha 2024 election, will also be screened on the first day.
Last Modified: April 27, 2026