IICDEM-2026 opens at Bharat Mandapam with 42 election bodies
The Election Commission of India's three-day International Conference on Democracy and Election Management (IICDEM) 2026 began at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, on 21 January 2026.
Summary
IICDEM-2026 opened at Bharat Mandapam with a reception for heads of delegations, at which CEC Gyanesh Kumar and Election Commissioners Dr Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Dr Vivek Joshi welcomed nearly 60 international delegates. The inaugural session drew nearly 1,000 people, including delegates from 42 Election Management Bodies (EMBs), Ambassadors and High Commissioners of 27 countries, experts from over 70 national institutions, and 36 Chief Electoral Officers from across India. Glimpses of the docuseries 'India Decides' were shown.
Key facts
- Opened
- 21 January 2026, Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi
- Duration
- 3 days
- Host
- Election Commission of India
- Participants
- 42 EMBs; envoys of 27 countries; 36 CEOs
- Commission
- CEC Gyanesh Kumar; ECs Dr Sukhbir Singh Sandhu, Dr Vivek Joshi
- Docuseries shown
- 'India Decides'
Practice MCQs 2 questions
Where did the International Conference on Democracy and Election Management (IICDEM) 2026 begin on 21 January 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi
PIB (ECI): IICDEM-2026 began at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
Delegates from how many Election Management Bodies attended the inaugural session of IICDEM-2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 42
PIB (ECI): delegates from 42 EMBs attended, along with envoys of 27 countries, experts from over 70 institutions and 36 CEOs.