Historic National Conference of State Election Commissioners Set for February in New Delhi

National Conference Announcement

New Delhi: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced that it will conduct a National Conference for State Election Commissioners (SECs) on February 24 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, as per an official statement released on Wednesday.

This conference marks a significant event, being the first of its kind in over 25 years, with the last gathering held back in 1999.

Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar will preside over the event, alongside Election Commissioners Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Dr. Vivek Joshi, who will address the SECs during the opening session.

The conference will welcome State Election Commissioners from all States and Union Territories, along with their legal and technical advisors. Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) from all 36 States and Union Territories will also participate in the discussions.

The main goal of this conference is to enhance collaboration between the ECI and the State Election Commissions regarding election management, electoral processes, and logistical coordination, while honoring their unique constitutional and legal responsibilities.

Participants will engage in targeted discussions on critical topics, including electoral laws related to voter eligibility, technological advancements introduced by the ECI like the new ECINET digital platform, the utilization of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), and various emerging challenges in election administration.

Additionally, the ECI will share its extensive experience in preparing electoral rolls and conducting elections in line with the Constitution of India and the legal framework, aiming to bolster the capabilities of State Election Commissions.

State Election Commissions are established under state legislation in accordance with the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments, and they hold the authority to oversee, direct, and manage the preparation of electoral rolls and the conduct of elections for Panchayats and Municipal Bodies.