NEW DELHI, India – The Election Commission of India (ECI) is set to play a pivotal role in strengthening global electoral integrity at the upcoming International IDEA Stockholm Conference on Electoral Integrity. Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Shri Gyanesh Kumar will lead the Indian delegation to the event, co-organized by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) and the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in collaboration with the Electoral Commission.

The conference, scheduled for June 10-12, 2025, will see CEC Kumar deliver a keynote address focusing on the Indian electoral experience. His address will highlight the ECI’s efforts to ensure transparent and inclusive elections, particularly through initiatives such as absentee voting for Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) and Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs), and the implementation of the Electronic Transmission of Postal Ballot Management System (ETPBMS) to enhance participation among overseas voters.

India’s leadership in election management is a key theme, with Shri Gyanesh Kumar expected to elaborate on the logistical complexities of conducting elections for a massive electorate, the ECI’s robust training programs for election officials, and its international capacity-building initiatives. The conference will host over 100 participants representing 50 countries, fostering a global dialogue on electoral best practices.
Beyond the conference, CEC Kumar is slated for bilateral meetings with senior electoral officials from over 20 countries, including the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, France, South Africa, Indonesia, Mexico, Mongolia, and Switzerland. These discussions aim to foster greater cooperation and the exchange of best practices in election management.

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Accompanying CEC Kumar are other prominent figures, including Ms. Leena Lakhtaki, Director (Asia Pacific) at International IDEA; Dr. S.Y. Quraishi, former CEC; Ambassador Rahman Mohammad Irfan, Electoral Commissioner of Mauritius; and Dr. Abdool Rahman Mohammad Irfan, Electoral Commissioner of Mauritius.

A significant focus of the Stockholm Conference will be a high-level roundtable on contemporary challenges to electoral integrity. This discussion will delve into topics such as the impact of artificial intelligence on elections and the role of integrity in a globalized democracy. The ECI emphasizes that technology and innovation, including AI, must serve to enhance democratic processes and citizen participation. The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) is emerging as a premier institution for electoral management excellence.