Delhi Declaration 2026: Reaffirming Democratic Values and Electoral Integrity

Context

Election Commission of India organised the three day International Conference on Democracy and Election Management (IICDEM) 2026 at Delhi. The conference saw participation of heads of 42 Election Management Bodies, experts from multiple countries and officials of ECI and Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) of States/UTs. The conference ended with the adoption of the Delhi Declaration.

Delhi Declaration 2026

The Delhi Declaration was adopted at the Indian International Conference on Democracy & Election Management 2026 unanimously. The Delhi Declaration focuses on five pillars of Purity of Electoral Rolls, Conduct of Elections, Research & Publications, Use of Technology and Training & Capacity Building.

Pillar I: Purity of Electoral Rolls

• Pure Electoral Rolls, containing names of all eligible electors as per law, are the foundation of any democracy.
• Election Management Bodies (EMBs) should strive to provide Photo Identity Cards, to all electors, for easy and transparent conduct of elections.

Pillar II: Conduct of Elections

• Elections have to be participative and inclusive & involve all stakeholders at all levels.
• For the conduct of elections to be transparent, efficient, free and fair, it is inevitable for the EMBs to function as per the mandate laid down in their Constitution or in their respective laws.

Pillar III: Research & Publications

• Bring out Encyclopedia of Democracies of the World, which shall comprise an Atlas – a comprehensive compilation on how the electoral systems work in different countries and as approved by the respective EMBs.
• Elaborative Reports on the 7 Themes led by International IDEA.
• Reports on 36 Themes led by the India International Institute of Democracy & Election Management (IIIDEM) to be prepared comprehensively.

Pillar IV: Use of Technology

• EMBs would adopt latest technologies while ensuring the integrity of elections, as mandated by law, to facilitate the electors and proactively counter misinformation.
• Considering the request of EMBs, India is willing to share its experience of the digital platform ECINET, for co-development of a similar platform for any other EMB in accordance with theirs laws and in their language.

Pillar V: Training & Capacity Building

• India is willing to share its vast experience in the field of elections to all sectors, through training and exchange of its transparent practices.
• IIIDEM will offer its training facilities to all EMBs to impart professionalism in the conduct of elections and preparation of Electoral rolls.

The participants also resolved to review their progress periodically and proposed to meet in December 2026 at the India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management (IIIDEM), New Delhi, through cooperation, innovation and measurable actions.

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