Date: 2026-02-25Category: Press ReleaseState: Union GovernmentCountry: India
ECI and SECs resolve to work together to further national and constitutional interest at the National Round Table Conference of ECI and State Election Commissioners
**Executive Summary**
The Election Commission of India (ECI) and State Election Commissioners (SECs) convened at the National Round Table Conference on February 24, 2026, in New Delhi. The conference, held after 27 years, focused on strengthening national and constitutional interests through collaborative efforts in election-related processes. A key outcome was the resolution to conduct the Round Table Conference annually, and a State/UT-wise way forward must be submitted to the Commission within the next three months.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Conference Overview:**
* The National Round Table Conference of ECI and SECs concluded on February 24, 2026, in New Delhi.
* The conference was attended by SECs from 30 states.
* **Collaborative Resolutions:**
* ECI and SECs resolved to conduct the National Round Table Conference annually.
* All SECs resolved to adopt the National Declaration 2026, affirming the importance of pure electoral rolls.
* ECI and SECs will work together to synergise laws relating to elections to Panchayats, Municipal Bodies, Parliament, and State Legislatures.
* ECI proposed working out mutually acceptable mechanisms and legally viable frameworks with all SECs to synergize election-related processes.
* **Operational Directives:**
* ECI requested SECs to participate in its international engagements.
* Suggestions from SECs during the Conference will be examined by a joint team of legal and technical officers.
* A State/UT-wise way forward will be submitted to the Commission within the next three months.
**Impact Analysis**
**State Election Commissioners (SECs)**
* **Impact:**
* SECs are now expected to collaborate with the ECI on various election-related processes and international engagements.
* SECs are expected to adopt the National Declaration 2026.
* **Action Required:**
* Submit a State/UT-wise way forward to the Commission within three months.
* Participate in ECI's international engagements.
**Election Commission of India (ECI)**
* **Impact:**
* ECI will lead the effort to work out mutually acceptable mechanisms with SECs.
* ECI will examine suggestions from SECs.
* **Action Required:**
* Examine suggestions from SECs.
* Review State/UT-wise ways forward.
Key Entities Referenced
Election Commission of India (ECI): The central election authority engaging with State Election Commissioners to further national and constitutional interest.
State Election Commissioners (SECs): Election authorities of 30 states participating in the National Round Table Conference with the ECI.
National Round Table Conference: A conference between the Election Commission of India and State Election Commissioners.
Election Commission
ECI and SECs resolve to work together to further
national and constitutional interest at the
National Round Table Conference of ECI and
State Election Commissioners
Posted On: 25 FEB 2026 4:18PM by PIB Delhi
1. The National Round Table Conference of Election Commission of India (ECI) and State
Election Commissioners (SECs) organized by ECI concluded yesterday (Tuesday, February
24, 2026) at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
2. State Election Commissions of 30 States participated in the National Round Table Conference
chaired by Chief Election Commissioner Shri Gyanesh Kumar in the presence of Election
Commissioners Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Dr. Vivek Joshi.
3. The State Election Commissioners widely appreciated National Round Table Conference,
which was held successfully after a gap of 27 years. ECI and the SECs resolved to conduct
the National Round Table Conference on an annual basis.
4. Under the leadership of CEC Shri Gyanesh Kumar, all SECs resolved to adopt the National
Declaration 2026 and affirmed that the preparation of pure electoral rolls are the bedrock of
democracy and that transparent and efficient conduct of elections further strengthens
democratic institutions.
5. In national and constitutional interest, ECI proposed to work out mutually acceptable
mechanisms and legally viable frameworks with all SECs across the country to synergise
election-related processes including the sharing of ECINET, EVMs, Electoral Rolls and the
world-class training infrastructure at India International Institute of Democracy and Election
Management (IIIDEM).
6. The declaration also states that ECI and SECs will work together to synergise the laws
relating to elections to Panchayats and Municipal Bodies with those relating to elections to
Parliament and State Legislatures, and strengthen cooperation to further national and
constitutional interest.
7. ECI also requested the SECs to participate in its international engagements.
8. All suggestions received from SECs during the Conference will be examined in detail by a
joint team of legal and technical officers led by the concerned Deputy Election
Commissioners of ECI.
9. A State/UT-wise way forward will be submitted to the Commission within the next three
months for an appropriate decision in the national interest.
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PK/GDH/RP
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