**Executive Summary**
The Election Commission of India (ECI), in collaboration with International IDEA, is conducting a five-day workshop on “Risk Management and Electoral Resilience” from May 25 to 29, 2026, in New Delhi. Held under India’s 2026 Chairship of the Council of Member States of International IDEA, the program aims to strengthen the institutional preparedness and risk management frameworks of 32 international participants. Key outcomes include the institutionalization of structured electoral safeguards and the practical application of the Electoral Risk Management (ERM) Tool.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Workshop Objectives and Participation**
* **International Collaboration:** The program is organized at the India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management (IIIDEM) as part of a collaboration framework between IIIDEM and International IDEA.
* **Diverse Representation:** 32 participants are in attendance, including Election Commissioners and senior officials from Election Management Bodies (EMBs) representing 12 countries.
* **Professional Scope:** Attendees include electoral managers, technology professionals, and officials specializing in crisis management and electoral integrity.
**Thematic Focus and Frameworks**
* **Institutional Resilience:** The workshop focuses on developing structured electoral risk management frameworks, policies, and operational systems to safeguard electoral integrity and public trust.
* **Core Thematic Areas:** Training covers the foundations of risk management, risk identification and assessment, crisis management, inter-agency coordination, and strategic planning.
* **Proactive Management:** Participants discussed the necessity of proactive identification and management of risks to ensure electoral continuity and legitimacy in complex environments.
**Practical Training and Methodology**
* **Technical Tools:** The curriculum includes practical exercises on the Electoral Risk Management Tool (ERM Tool), featuring the customization of risk factor libraries and the use of Risk and Action Registers (RAR).
* **Analytical Instruments:** Training involves the use of specialized analytical instruments and resource portals designed for electoral safeguards.
* **Field Exposure:** The program incorporates field visits and institutional interactions to provide an understanding of ground-level electoral planning and practical risk mitigation approaches.
**Impact Analysis**
**Election Management Bodies (EMBs) and International Delegates**
**Impact**
Delegates from 12 countries gain technical expertise in identifying and mitigating electoral risks, enhancing their ability to maintain public trust and electoral legitimacy.
**Action Required**
Participants must engage in practical demonstrations of the ERM Tool and apply the framework to develop structured operational systems within their home countries.
**Election Commission of India (ECI) / IIIDEM**
**Impact**
As the host and chair, the ECI strengthens international cooperation and positions IIIDEM as a central hub for electoral management training and resilience-building.
**Action Required**
The Commission must facilitate the five-day agenda, lead inaugural and interactive sessions, and coordinate field exposure visits to demonstrate ground-level planning.
**Crisis Management and Technology Professionals**
**Impact**
These specialists receive targeted training on integrating technology and inter-agency coordination into strategic electoral planning.
**Action Required**
Professionals must utilize the provided analytical instruments and resource portals to refine risk factor libraries and action registers.
Key Entities Referenced
Election Commission of India (ECI): The primary constitutional body responsible for organizing the workshop to strengthen institutional preparedness and electoral resilience.
International IDEA: An intergovernmental organization collaborating with ECI to provide the framework for risk management and electoral integrity initiatives.
India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management (IIIDEM): The specialized training and resource center of the ECI where the international workshop is hosted and conducted.
Electoral Risk Management Tool (ERM Tool): A specific analytical instrument and practical tool demonstrated during the workshop to help electoral bodies identify and mitigate risks.
Council of Member States of International IDEA: The international body under which India holds the 2026 Chairship, providing the strategic mandate for this collaborative program.
Election Commission
ECI begins 5-day Workshop on Risk
Management and Electoral Resilience
Posted On: 25 MAY 2026 6:56PM by PIB Delhi
1. Election Commission of India (ECI), in collaboration with International IDEA under India’s
Chairship Programme 2026, is organising a five-day Workshop on “Risk Management and
Electoral Resilience” at the India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management
(IIIDEM), New Delhi from May 25 to 29, 2026
2. Chief Election Commissioner Shri Gyanesh Kumar, along with Election Commissioners Dr.
Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Dr. Vivek Joshi, addressed the participants during the inaugural session.
The participants also interacted with the Commission during the opening day of the workshop.
3. 32 participants comprising Election Commissioners and senior officials of Election Management
Bodies (EMBs) representing 12 countries, electoral managers, risk management and technology
professionals, and officials engaged in crisis management and electoral integrity initiatives are
participating in the programme.
4. The workshop is aimed at strengthening institutional preparedness and resilience in electoral
processes and to support Electoral Management Bodies (EMBs) in developing and institutionalising
structured electoral risk management frameworks, policies and operational systems.
5. The participants discussed the need for proactive identification, assessment and management of
electoral risks to safeguard electoral integrity, continuity, legitimacy and public trust in an
increasingly complex risk environment.
6. The workshop covered thematic areas including foundations of electoral risk management,
electoral integrity and safeguards, risk identification and assessment, resilience and crisis
management, inter-agency coordination and strategic planning.
7. The workshop also includes practical demonstrations and exercises on the Electoral Risk
Management Tool (ERM Tool), including customisation of risk factor libraries, Risk and Action
Registers (RAR), analytical instruments and resource portals.
8. The programme also includes field exposure visits and institutional interaction aimed at
understanding ground-level electoral planning, coordination mechanisms and practical approaches
to risk mitigation.
9. The workshop was organised as part of the IIIDEM–International IDEA collaboration framework on
Risk Management and Electoral Resilience under India’s Chairship of the Council of Member
States of International IDEA for 2026.
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