New Delhi [India], January 21: The Election Commission of India (ECI) will host a two-day international conference, “Global Election Year 2024: Reiteration of Democratic Spaces; Takeaway for EMBs,” in New Delhi on January 23 and 24, ahead of National Voters Day.
The conference, which follows a significant year of global elections involving over 70 countries, aims to explore key contemporary challenges in election management and highlight learnings from recent elections. It will provide a comprehensive view of India’s upcoming Lok Sabha General Election 2024—the world’s largest election—and serve as a valuable learning opportunity for Election Management Bodies (EMBs) worldwide.
The conference is organized by the ECI’s International Institute of Democracy and Election Management (IIIDEM), in collaboration with the India Association of World Election Bodies (A-WEB) Centre. The event will be inaugurated by India’s Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar and will feature various sessions chaired by Election Commissioners and international dignitaries from around the world.
Nearly 30 representatives from 13 countries, including Bhutan, Georgia, Namibia, Uzbekistan, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Ireland, Mauritius, the Philippines, Russia, Tunisia, and Nepal, will participate. Key officials, including heads and deputy heads of EMBs from these nations, will also be present, alongside representatives from international organizations such as International IDEA, the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), and A-WEB.
The conference will open with a keynote address from CEC Rajiv Kumar and cover several important sessions related to election management. Notable sessions include:
- Session 1: “Election Year 2024 – Major Learnings” (Co-chaired by CEC of Bhutan and Chairperson of Namibia’s Electoral Commission, featuring presentations from India, Uzbekistan, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Indonesia, and Kazakhstan).
- Session 2: “Role of Technology in Election Management – Opportunities and Challenges” (Chaired by India’s Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar with presentations from Bhutan and Russia).
- Session 3: “Social Media Platforms and Election Management – Consultation and the Way Forward” (Chaired by Election Commissioner Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu, featuring inputs from Nepal, Namibia, and IFES).
- Session 4: “Electoral Equity: Inclusive & Accessible Elections” (Co-chaired by Kazakhstan’s CEC and A-WEB Secretary General, with presentations from Tunisia, the Philippines, and Georgia).
- Session 5: “Capacity Building, Training, and International Cooperation for Strengthening Democratic Spaces” (Co-chaired by Nepal’s CEC and IFES President & CEO, with contributions from A-WEB, Ireland’s Election Commission, and International IDEA).
- Session 6 (Day 2): “The Future of Elections” (Chaired by CEC Rajiv Kumar, with presentations from Bhutan, Kazakhstan, Mauritius, Namibia, and Nepal).
The conference will conclude with observations from Abdool Rahman Mohammad Irfan, Electoral Commissioner of Mauritius, and Anthony Nathan Banbury, CEO of IFES, followed by discussions and the formulation of recommendations for strengthening global electoral processes and cooperation among EMBs.
The two-day event aims to foster collaboration and enhance the capacity of EMBs worldwide, ensuring a more effective and inclusive approach to election management globally.