New Delhi | January 21, 2026
A high-level plenary session on global challenges facing election administration was held on Tuesday at the International Conference on Democracy and Election Management (IICDEM) 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, with participation from heads of election management bodies (EMBs from across the world.
The plenary session saw the participation of heads of 42 Election Management Bodies, highlighting the growing importance of international collaboration in strengthening democratic and electoral processes.
The proceedings were inaugurated by Chief Election Commissioner of India, Gyanesh Kumar, along with Election Commissioners Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Dr. Vivek Joshi.
Nearly 60 international delegates, including heads of diplomatic missions, ambassadors, and high commissioners from multiple countries, attended the session, underlining the global relevance of the discussions.
The EMB Leaders’ Plenary served as a platform for high-level exchange of ideas among election management leaders, senior officials, and diplomatic representatives on issues related to democracy, electoral integrity, and election administration.
As Chair of International IDEA in 2026, India shared its thematic priorities for the year, while EMB leaders and country representatives presented their perspectives on the emerging global challenges confronting democracies and election administration worldwide, including issues of trust, technology, and electoral resilience.
