**Executive Summary**
The Election Commission of India (ECI) conducted the Third One-Day Conference for Media and Communication Officers on July 8, 2026, in Delhi. The event aimed to align communication strategies and equip approximately 200 officials from 10 States and UTs with the tools to maintain institutional trust. Key focus areas included proactive engagement against misinformation and the technical demonstration of electoral processes.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Conference Participation**
* Attended by Media Nodal Officers (MNOs), Social Media Nodal Officers (SMNOs), and senior officers from State Departments of Public Relations (DPRs).
* Represented a total of 10 States and Union Territories.
* **Institutional Integrity and Transparency**
* The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) emphasized that all ECI actions are strictly governed by the Constitution of India, Electoral Laws, and written instructions.
* High voter turnout in recent elections was cited as evidence of public trust in the electoral system.
* **Countering Misinformation and Technology Risks**
* Officials were cautioned against false narratives, AI-generated content, Deepfakes, and synthetic media intended to mislead the public.
* Instruction was given to engage proactively and counter mischievous content using official rules, instructions, and guidelines.
* **Communication Strategies and Training**
* The programme provided a wide overview of communication across the entire election cycle, from "roll to poll," including the use of ECINET and media-related laws.
* Practical sessions focused on planning press notes, social media amplification, and engaging young electors through Electoral Literacy Clubs (ELCs).
* **Operational Demonstrations**
* Participants received guided walkthroughs and demonstrations regarding the preparation of Electoral Rolls, the Polling Process, and the Counting Process.
* The conference concluded with an interactive Question and Answer (Q&A) session with the Commission.
**Impact Analysis**
**Media and Social Media Nodal Officers (MNOs/SMNOs)**
**Impact**
These officers are now better equipped with the knowledge of ECI’s constitutional provisions and the practical skills needed to amplify official communications. They face increased responsibility in monitoring and neutralizing digital threats like Deepfakes.
**Action Required**
They must proactively monitor social media for false narratives and use the Commission’s guidelines to counter misinformation immediately.
**State Departments of Public Relations (DPRs)**
**Impact**
Senior officials from these departments have gained a deeper technical understanding of the election cycle and ECI initiatives, ensuring better synchronization between state and central communication.
**Action Required**
They need to implement the communication strategies discussed, specifically regarding press note planning and public engagement initiatives.
**Election Commission of India (ECI)**
**Impact**
The Commission strengthens its transparency and institutional trust by ensuring that field-level communication officers are operating under a unified set of legal and procedural guidelines.
**Action Required**
The Commission must continue to provide updated rules, instructions, and technical support (like ECINET) to help officers manage the evolving digital landscape.
Key Entities Referenced
Election Commission of India (ECI): The primary constitutional body responsible for organizing the conference and overseeing the electoral process in India.
Shri Gyanesh Kumar: The Chief Election Commissioner of India who addressed the conference regarding the proactive prevention of misinformation.
Constitution of India: The foundational legal document cited as the primary basis for all actions and instructions issued by the Election Commission.
Electoral Laws: The legal statutes that govern the conduct of elections and media-related matters during the election cycle.
Electoral Literacy Clubs (ELCs): An initiative highlighted for its role in engaging young electors and communicating ECI initiatives to the public.
Election Commission
ECI holds Third One-Day Conference for Media
and Communication Officers
प्रव तथ: 08 JUL 2026 7:08PM by PIB Delhi
1. Election Commission of India (ECI) organised the Third One-Day Conference for Media and
Communication Officers, bringing together Media Nodal Officers (MNOs) and Social Media Nodal
Officers (SMNOs), senior officers from the State Departments of Public Relations (DPRs) from
various districts of the participating States/UTs.
2. Around 200 Media and Communication Officers from 10 States/UTs including Media Nodal
Officers (MNOs) and Social Media Nodal Officers (SMNOs), along with District Media Nodal
Officers/District PROs, and senior officers from the respective State Departments of Public
Relations (DPRs).
3. Chief Election Commissioner Shri Gyanesh Kumar, along with Election Commissioner Dr. Vivek
Joshi, addressed the participants during the conference.
4. Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Shri Gyanesh Kumar emphasized that each and every action of
the Commission is based on the Constitution of India, Electoral Laws and written instructions issued
from time to time in a transparent manner. Cautioning the officials regarding false narratives
propagated on social media, CEC Gyanesh Kumar said the Officials need to engage proactively to
prevent the spread of misinformation. He added that the highest ever voter turnouts in the recent
Assembly Elections are a proof of the trust that the Indian electors have in the country’s electoral
system.
5. Addressing the participants, Election Commissioner Dr. Vivek Joshi, said that in today’s digital
world, AI, Deepfakes, synthetic content with an intent to mislead and even mischievous content are
spread by motivated actors to erode trust in institutions. Dr. Joshi urged the Media and
Communication Officers to counter such attempts based on the rules, instructions and guidelines of
the Commission.
6. The conference began with a wide overview of communication strategies across the election cycle -
from roll to poll, ECINET, important constitutional provisions, laws relating to media matters.
7. Practical sessions were also organised on planning press notes and amplifying them through media
and social media, tackling misinformation and narratives, engaging young electors through ELCs,
communicating ECI initiatives to the public.
8. As part of the programme, participants were also taken through a demonstration of the preparation
of Electoral Rolls, Polling Process, and Counting Process in groups, followed by a guided
walkthrough of the Exhibition and Media Corner.
9. The sessions were also followed by a Question and Answer (Q&A) session between the participants
and the Commission.
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PK/GDH/RP
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