ECI Organises International Conference on Global Best Practices for Media in Electoral Campaigns

📌 Summary:

• Election Commission of India (ECI) organising 2-day International Conference (3–4 June 2026) on "Global Best Practices and Innovations for Media in Electoral Processes and Campaigns" at IIIDEM, New Delhi
• Keynote by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar: ECI trains grassroots field functionaries (BLOs, BLAs) to ensure seamless connect with 100+ crore electors
• CEC highlighted record-high participation in recently held General Elections to State Legislative Assemblies as indicator of voter trust
• 480+ participants: District Election Officers (DEOs), Electoral Registration Officers (EROs), thematic experts, academicians, research scholars, Electoral Literacy Club (ELC) members
• Aim: develop practitioner-oriented global knowledge resources documenting international experiences, model standards, best practices in election management
• Discussions cover: misinformation and disinformation; AI-generated deepfakes and synthetic media; non-transparent digital political advertising; platform governance
• Outputs feed into final thematic report under Delhi Declaration (adopted 23 January 2026 at India International Conference on Democracy and Election Management)
• Co-organised by Office of CEO Delhi, IIIDEM, and Delhi Technological University (DTU)
• Held under India's 2026 Chairship of International IDEA (Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance)

🎯 UPSC Relevance: GS2 (Election Commission of India — Article 324; electoral reforms; salient features of RPA; deepfakes/AI threats to elections; India's leadership in international electoral assistance)

📝 Prelims Facts:

• ECI: constitutional body under Article 324 (Part XV)
• Chief Election Commissioner: Shri Gyanesh Kumar
• IIIDEM = India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management (capacity-building wing of ECI)
• Delhi Declaration: adopted 23 January 2026 at India International Conference on Democracy and Election Management
• BLO = Booth Level Officer; BLA = Booth Level Agent; DEO = District Election Officer; ERO = Electoral Registration Officer
• International IDEA: inter-governmental organisation headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden; India holds Chairship in 2026

🔑 Key Term: International IDEA (Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance) — Stockholm-based inter-governmental organisation; India is a Member State and chairs the body in 2026; promotes sustainable democracy worldwide.