Summit for Democracy

Why is in news? ECI hosts the 3rd International Conference on ‘Inclusive Elections and Elections Integrity’ as the lead for the Cohort on ‘Election Integrity’

The Election Commission of India (ECI) hosted the 3rd International Conference on the theme ‘Inclusive Elections and Elections Integrity’ in virtual format on 09 March 2023.

ECI is leading the Cohort on Elections Integrity which was established as a follow up to the ‘Summit for Democracy’ held virtually in December, 2021.

A total of 59 Participants from 31 Countries/EMBs as well as representatives of two International organisations from International IDEA and International foundation for Electoral systems and representatives from two Civil Society Organisations vizGeneral Election Network for Disability Access in Indonesia and Association of Youth Organisations in Nepal participated in the Conference

The first international conference of the Cohort was organized on 31 Oct – 01 Nov, 2022 at New Delhi on the topic ‘Role, Framework and Capacity of Election Management Bodies’

The 2nd Conference on the theme ‘Use of Technology and Elections Integrity’ was hosted by ECI at New Delhi on 23-24 January 2023.

‘Summit for Democracy’, was an initiative of US President and hosted in December 2021.

Following this Summit, a "Year of Action" was proposed with events and dialogues on themes related to Democracy

The Summit also developed two platforms - ‘Focal Groups’ and ‘Democracy Cohorts’ to facilitate participation in the Year of Action

The 2nd Summit for Democracy is scheduled to be held on 29- 30 March 2023 and co-hosted by governments of Costa Rica, Rep. of Korea, Netherlands, Zambia and the US

ECI, as the lead for the Cohort on ‘Election Integrity’, has taken a collaborative approach and invited Greece, Mauritius and IFES to be co-leads for the Cohort.

ECI has invited International Foundation for Electoral Systems and International IDEA, apart from EMBs and Government counterparts dealing with the conduct of elections worldwide.

As part of the ‘Summit for Democracy’ Year of Action, India through the ECI, is leading the ‘Democracy Cohort on Election Integrity’ to share its knowledge, technical expertise and experiences with other democracies of the world.

ECI, as its lead, hasalso organised four training and capacity building programmes during Nov 2022 - Mar 2023, under the aegis of the Cohort for over 60 officials from 46 Election Management Bodies (EMBs) across the world.