IICDEM 2026: ECI to Host Global Democracy Confence in New Delhi

International Conference on Democracy and Election Management (IICDEM) 2026: The Election Commission of India (ECI) is going to host a high-level Global Democracy Conference starting on the 21st of January will be held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. It aims at bringing together electoral management bodies (EMBs) from across the world. 

The core theme of the summit was the unveiling and implementation of the SIR (Special Intensive Revision) Initiative.This framework aims to combat misinformation, leverage AI for fair polling, and foster digital literacy among voters to protect the sanctity of democratic processes in the digital age.

Democracy is more than just a system of governance; it is a global commitment to the voice of the people. However, in an era where digital narratives can shift overnight, the pillars of fair elections face unprecedented challenges. To address this, the Election Commission of India (ECI) recently hosted a landmark Global Democracy Conference, serving as a collaborative hub for international election experts.

Key Highlight of the Global Democracy Conference:  

• The India International Institute of Democracy & Election Management (IIIDEM) starting on the 21st of January will be held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.

• It will showcase the magnitude and complexity of conducting elections in India along with the recent initiatives taken by ECI to strengthen the two pillars of elections:

• preparation of electoral rolls and 

• conduct of elections will also be held alongside the events.

• The largest global conference of its kind hosted by India in the field of democracy and election management. Nearly 100 international delegates, representing over 70 countries from across the world.

• The three-day programme includes general and plenary sessions of Election Management Bodies (EMBs) including the Inaugural Session, EMB Leaders’ Plenary, EMB Working Group Meetings, besides thematic sessions focusing on global electoral issues, model international electoral standards, and innovations and best practices in electoral processes.

• The State/UT’s, 4 IIT’s, 6 IIM’s and 12 National Law Universities(NLUs) and IIMc will also participate in the conference along with thematic groups to contribute to in-depth deliberation. 

• The ECI will also formally launch Election Commission of India Network (ECINET), a one-stop digital platform and app for all election related information and services.

• The docuseries “India Decides”, highlighting the making of the largest election in the world, the Lok Sabha 2024 elections will also be showcased on day-one of IICDEM2026.

Source: PIB

A global platform. Shared purpose. 🌍🤝#IICDEM2026 brings together EMBs from across the world to drive international cooperation, enable the exchange of best practices, and co-create solutions that strengthen democratic processes.

🗓️ 21–23 Jan 2026
📍 Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi pic.twitter.com/QfeMhqOrMy

— Election Commission of India (@ECISVEEP) January 19, 2026

Also Read: Henley Passport Index 2026: Know the India’s Rank Singapore Retains Top Spot

What is the SIR Initiative? 

The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) Initiative is a large-scale time bound house to house voter verification to be done to ensure enrolment of all eligible citizens are included in the Electoral Roll. The SIR is constituted under the Article 324 of the Indian Constitution and Section 21(3) of the Representation of the People Act, 1950. It's a proactive toolkit designed to bridge the gap between technological advancement and ethical campaigning. The ECI outlined three core pillars of the initiative:

1. Transparency in Algorithms: Encouraging social media platforms to provide clearer insights into how political content is prioritized.

2. Rapid Response Systems: Establishing a "Global Desk" for EMBs to flag and neutralize viral misinformation in real-time during active polling periods.

3. Voter Empowerment: Moving beyond simple "fact-checking" to deep digital literacy, ensuring citizens can discern authentic information from AI-generated deceptions.

Global Participation: 

IICDEM 2026 is poised to be the largest global conference of its kind hosted by India in the field of democracy and election management. Nearly 100 international delegates, representing over 70 countries from across the world, are expected to participate, along with representatives of international organisations, foreign missions in India, and academic and practicing experts in the electoral domain. 

It also includes representatives from the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (I-IDEA) and the Association of World Election Bodies (A-WEB). The consensus was clear: Electoral integrity is no longer a domestic issue; it is a global security concern.

Panels discussed the varying landscapes of democracy, from the paper-ballot systems in parts of Europe to the robust Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) framework used in India. By sharing "Success Stories," the ECI demonstrated how the SIR framework helped manage the scale of the world’s largest electorate while maintaining public trust.

Also Read: What is Gaza’s Board of Peace? Structure, Members and India’s Invitation Explained