India's Commitment to Electoral Integrity Highlighted at Stockholm Conference

Keynote Address by Chief Election Commissioner

Stockholm, June 11: Chief Election Commissioner of India, Gyanesh Kumar, presented a keynote speech at the Stockholm International Conference on Electoral Integrity on Tuesday, emphasizing India's unique electoral scale, diversity, and dedication to democratic principles.

During this global event organized by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA), Kumar reiterated the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) commitment to conducting elections with integrity and fostering global capacity-building for Election Management Bodies (EMBs).

The conference saw participation from over 100 representatives of EMBs across nearly 50 nations.

“Conducting elections with the highest integrity reflects our national determination,” he remarked, highlighting the ECI’s leadership role in global electoral practices.

Kumar pointed out the vastness of India's democratic process, noting that elections are conducted under the watchful eyes of political parties, candidates, observers, media, and law enforcement, ensuring transparency similar to concurrent audits at every phase.

For general elections, the ECI engages more than 20 million personnel, including polling staff, police, observers, and political agents, making it the largest election management operation worldwide, he stated.

Reflecting on the evolution of India's electoral system, Kumar stressed the Commission’s adaptability to increasing complexities while staying true to constitutional values.

“From 173 million voters in 1951-52 to 979 million in 2024, and from merely 0.2 million polling stations in the early years to over 1.05 million today, India's electoral journey showcases institutional foresight and unparalleled scale,” he explained.

He noted that the 2024 General Elections included 743 political parties, consisting of six national and 67 state parties, along with over 20,000 candidates, facilitated by 6.2 million Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).

Kumar described this as a testament to the ECI's ability to conduct inclusive, efficient, and secure elections.

He also emphasized India's stringent approach to maintaining the electoral roll, which has been shared annually with all recognized political parties since 1960, allowing for claims, objections, and appeals. This statutory provision is regarded as one of the most transparent and robust voter list management systems globally.

Kumar further highlighted the inclusivity of India’s elections, catering to first-time voters, senior citizens over 85, persons with disabilities, third-gender electors, and individuals in remote or high-altitude regions like Tashigang in Himachal Pradesh.

He asserted that "leaving no voter behind" is a constitutional obligation, not just a logistical aim.

On the sidelines of the conference, the CEC engaged in bilateral discussions with counterparts from countries such as Mexico, Indonesia, Mongolia, South Africa, Switzerland, Moldova, Lithuania, Mauritius, Germany, Croatia, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom.

These talks revolved around topics like voter engagement, electoral technologies, diaspora voting, and institutional collaboration.