Election Commission Strengthens Global Electoral Cooperation with Delhi Declaration 2026
SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions | SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
Election Commission of India (ECI)
On January 23, 2026, the International Conference on Inclusive and Tech-Driven Elections (IICDEM) concluded with the historic adoption of the Delhi Declaration 2026. This consensus document, signed by over 50 Election Management Bodies (EMBs) and international organizations, establishes a collective roadmap for safeguarding the integrity of global elections in an era of rapid technological disruption. The declaration emphasizes that while technology is a force for inclusion, it must be governed by strict ethical standards to prevent the erosion of public trust.
The core of the declaration is a commitment by over 42 participating EMBs to collaborate on five strategic pillars:
Purity of Electoral Rolls: Maintaining accurate and inclusive voter databases, which Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar identified as the “foundation of any democracy”.
Conduct of Elections: Sharing best practices for transparent and efficient election management, including the use of photo identity cards for all electors.
Research and Publications: Committing to co-curated intellectual projects, notably an Encyclopaedia of Democracies of the World and thematic reports on 43 global electoral subjects.
Use of Technology: Promoting the “measured adoption” of digital tools that support public trust rather than replacing it.
Training and Capacity Building: Facilitating the exchange of professional expertise and transparent practices across global electoral sectors.
Technological Integration and ECINET A defining outcome of the conference was the launch of ECINET, the ECI’s one-stop digital platform designed to connect citizens, candidates, and election officials on a single secure platform. This platform signifies India’s lead in technological advancement, reinforcing the principle that technology should be an enabler of democratic integrity. The EMBs also resolved to co-develop similar digital platforms and repositories to share innovative solutions globally.
Institutionalizing Global Cooperation The participating leaders resolved to review their progress periodically, with the next high-level meeting scheduled for December 3-5, 2026, at the IIIDEM campus in New Delhi. This institutionalization includes the formation of 36 thematic groups supported by leading academic institutions like the IITs and IIMs to delve into cross-cutting global electoral standards and innovations.
Policy Relevance
This declaration reinforces India’s evolving role in global democratic governance by facilitating knowledge exchange, standard-setting and capacity building among election authorities. It underscores cross-border cooperation on electoral integrity — vital for credible elections and democratic resilience — aligning with principles of institutional trust and transparency.
Relevant Question for Policy Stakeholders: How will the Election Commission of India translate the “Ethics of AI” mentioned in the Delhi Declaration into enforceable guidelines for political parties during the upcoming state assembly elections?
Follow the full news here: IICDEM concludes with the adoption of the Delhi Declaration 2026