Democracy's Global Stage
The Indian International Conference on Democracy and Election Management 2026 (IICDEM-2026) in New Delhi was a landmark event. It showcased India's leadership
in the field. The event hosted nearly 1,000 attendees, including delegates from 42 Election Management Bodies (EMBs), along with Ambassadors and High Commissioners representing 27 countries. Experts from over 70 national institutions also participated. The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, along with Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, addressed the conference. The theme, “democracy for an inclusive, peaceful, resilient and sustainable world,” reflected a thorough understanding of democracy's role in the 21st century. The conference served as a platform for sharing best practices and addressing the challenges of electoral processes globally. It was the largest conference of its kind ever hosted by India focused on democracy and election management. The event marked a significant moment for India to share its rich electoral journey.
The BLO's Crucial Role
CEC Gyanesh Kumar emphasized the critical role of Booth Level Officers (BLOs) in ensuring the integrity of Indian elections. He called them the foundational pillar of electoral democracy. The BLO's primary responsibility involves maintaining the purity of electoral rolls by ensuring that all eligible voters are included. In India, each polling booth typically serves around 970 electors. The BLO is tasked with ensuring all eligible voters are accurately represented in the electoral rolls. According to CEC, pure electoral rolls are essential for strengthening the democratic process. This emphasizes the importance of meticulously maintaining voter lists, which is a fundamental aspect of India's electoral system. This function is vital for the conduct of free and fair elections, where every citizen's right to vote is protected.
India's Electoral Journey
The conference provided an opportunity to highlight India's evolution into the world's largest democratic exercise. The CEC took delegates through this journey, highlighting key milestones and challenges. Last year's Lok Sabha elections saw over 640 million people vote across more than a million polling stations. Approximately two crore people were involved in the election management process. The scale of these elections underlines the logistical and organizational prowess of the Election Commission of India (ECI). India's electoral process, rooted in the Constitution, involves two main segments: the preparation of electoral rolls and the actual conduct of elections. The meticulous preparation of electoral rolls, ensuring every eligible voter is included, is fundamental to the integrity of the process.
Bihar's Electoral Efficiency
The CEC cited Bihar's recent elections as an example of successful electoral practice. He highlighted that the first step was the purification of electoral rolls, ensuring eligible electors were included. The efficiency of the Booth Level Officers (BLOs), the Electoral Registration Officers, and the Chief Electoral Officer of Bihar led to zero appeals from 75 million electors. The finalized electoral rolls were completed amid intense public scrutiny. This demonstrated the rigorous standards and transparency of the process. The effective management in Bihar reflected the ECI's commitment to conducting fair and efficient elections. The case of Bihar showcases a success story in refining electoral rolls. This ensures maximum voter participation and strengthens public trust in the election process.
