The Election Commission of India (ECI) will organise a National Round Table Conference with State Election Commissioners on February 24 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, marking the first such meeting in 27 years.
The last round table conference of this kind was held in 1999, making the upcoming event a significant institutional engagement aimed at strengthening coordination between national and state-level electoral authorities.
The conference will be chaired by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, in the presence of Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi.
State Election Commissioners from all States and Union Territories are expected to participate along with their legal and technical experts.
Chief Electoral Officers representing all 36 States and Union Territories will also attend the day-long conference.
First meeting in nearly three decades
Officials said the conference will serve as a major platform for dialogue and coordination between the Election Commission and State Election Commissions.
The event is expected to promote cooperation in electoral processes while respecting the distinct legal frameworks under which national and state election bodies function.
The meeting is also intended to encourage exchange of best practices and improve coordination in election management across the country.
A major focus of the conference will be technological advancements in election management.
Officials will discuss the use of Electronic Voting Machines and improvements in electoral roll preparation.
Presentations will highlight the transparency, safeguards and reliability of Electronic Voting Machines used in Indian elections.
The conference will also showcase the newly launched ECINET digital platform designed to modernise electoral management systems.
Senior officials will present a comprehensive analysis of voter eligibility across different States and Union Territories.
The discussions will include legal provisions under the Representation of the People Act, 1950, which governs the preparation of electoral rolls.
The aim is to develop a better understanding of legal frameworks and ensure uniformity in electoral practices.
Role of state Election Commissions
State Election Commissions play a key role in conducting elections to local bodies.
These institutions were established following the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments and are responsible for supervising elections to Panchayats and Municipal Bodies.
Officials said the round table conference will help strengthen cooperative federalism in electoral administration and improve coordination between different election authorities.
The Election Commission said the initiative represents an important step toward enhancing the efficiency, transparency and credibility of India’s electoral system.
