**Executive Summary**
The Election Commission of India (ECI) will host a National Round Table Conference with State Election Commissioners (SECs) on February 24, 2026, in New Delhi. The conference aims to foster synergies between the ECI and SECs, facilitate the exchange of ideas, and strengthen cooperative federalism in electoral management. The conference is being convened after a gap of 27 years.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Conference Details:**
* The conference will be held on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
* It will be chaired by the Chief Election Commissioner, Shri Gyanesh Kumar, with Election Commissioners Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Dr. Vivek Joshi in attendance.
* **Attendees:**
* State Election Commissioners (SECs) of all States and Union Territories.
* Legal and technical experts of all States and Union Territories.
* Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) of all 36 States and Union Territories.
* **Objectives and Discussions:**
* Foster synergies between the ECI and SECs regarding electoral processes and logistics.
* Provide a platform for constructive exchange of ideas and reinforce cooperative federalism.
* Discussions will focus on sharing technology, EVMs, and Electoral Rolls.
* Strengthening of electoral processes.
* **Presentations:**
* Senior officials of the Commission will present on key technological and operational initiatives, including the ECINET digital platform.
* Presentations will highlight the robustness, transparency, and safeguards of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).
* A comparative presentation on States/UT-wise eligibility of electors with reference to the Representation of the People Act, 1950.
* **SECs' Role:**
* State Election Commissions are created by law under the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments.
* SECs are vested with the superintendence, direction, and control of the preparation of electoral rolls and the conduct of elections to Panchayats and Municipal Bodies under Articles 243K and 243ZA.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Election Commission of India (ECI)**
* **Impact:** The ECI is responsible for organizing and leading the conference, setting the agenda, and ensuring productive discussions to improve electoral management.
* **Action Required:** Prepare presentations, facilitate discussions, and follow up on action items identified during the conference.
**Stakeholder: State Election Commissioners (SECs)**
* **Impact:** The SECs will participate in discussions, share their experiences, and learn about best practices in electoral management.
* **Action Required:** Attend the conference, actively participate in discussions, and implement relevant changes in their respective jurisdictions.
**Stakeholder: Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs)**
* **Impact:** The CEOs will attend the conference and provide support to the State Election Commissioners and contribute to technical discussions.
* **Action Required:** Attend the conference and assist the State Election Commissioners.
Key Entities Referenced
Election Commission of India (ECI): The central body organizing the National Round Table Conference with State Election Commissioners.
State Election Commissioners (SECs): State-level bodies participating in the conference to foster synergies with the ECI on electoral processes.
National Round Table Conference: Conference organized by ECI for discussions with SECs on electoral processes.
73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments: Amendments empowering State Election Commissions (SECs).
Representation of the People Act, 1950: Referred to for comparative presentation on States/UT-wise eligibility of electors.
Election Commission
National Round Table Conference of ECI and
State Election Commissioners to be held on
Tuesday
Posted On: 22 FEB 2026 11:59AM by PIB Delhi
1. Election Commission of India (ECI) will organise the National Round Table Conference of ECI and
State Election Commissioners (SECs) on Tuesday, i.e., February 24, 2026, at Bharat Mandapam,
New Delhi. The Round Table Conference is being convened after a gap of 27 years. The last such
Conference was held in the year 1999.
2. The Round Table Conference will be chaired by the Chief Election Commissioner, Shri Gyanesh
Kumar, in the presence of Election Commissioners, Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Dr. Vivek Joshi.
3. State Election Commissioners of all States and Union Territories will participate along with their
legal and technical experts. Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) of all 36 States and Union Territories
will also attend the Conference.
4. The primary objective of the Round Table Conference is to foster synergies in the functioning of
ECI and SECs with respect to electoral processes and logistics within their respective legal
frameworks. The deliberations are expected to provide a platform for constructive exchange of ideas
and reinforce the spirit of cooperative federalism in electoral management.
5. During the day-long conference, discussions will focus around sharing of technology, EVMs and
Electoral Rolls, besides strengthening of electoral processes.
6. Senior officials of the Commission will make presentations on key technological and operational
initiatives including the recently launched ECINET digital platform and its transformative potential
in streamlining electoral services.
7. Presentations will also highlight robustness, transparency and safeguards of the Electronic Voting
Machines (EVMs).
8. Comparative presentation on States/UT-wise eligibility of electors with reference to the
Representation of the People Act, 1950 will also be made to facilitate informed deliberations on
legal frameworks governing Electoral Roll preparation across jurisdictions.
9. State Election Commissions are created by law of the respective States under the empowering
provisions of 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments. SECs are vested with the superintendence,
direction and control of the preparation of the electoral rolls for, and the conduct of all elections to
the Panchayats and Municipal Bodies under Articles 243K and 243ZA respectively.
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PK/GDH/RP
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