Delhi Declaration 2026 adopted as Global Election Bodies commit to five pillars of cooperation

Key Highlights

• ‎“This conference has ignited meaningful conversations on model international electoral standards,” Kumar said.
• “The over 40 bilateral meetings held during these three days have expanded mutual cooperation and strengthened our understanding of shared priorities and perspectives.” ‎The closing session was attended by Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, heads of 42 Election Management Bodies, experts from more than 70 national institutions, senior officials of the Election Commission of India (ECI), and 36 Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) from States and union Territories.
• ‎As part of the Delhi Declaration 2026, the EMBs also agreed to periodically review progress and reconvene on December 3, 4 and 5, 2026, at the India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management (IIIDEM) in New Delhi.
• ‎The declaration outlines several collaborative initiatives, including the preparation of a co-curated Encyclopaedia of Democracies of the World, comprehensive reports on seven themes led by International IDEA and 36 themes led by IIIDEM, co-development of digital platforms similar to ECINET, and expanded training and exchange programmes through IIIDEM to promote transparency and professionalism in electoral processes and electoral roll management.
• ‎Addressing the gathering, Election Commissioner Sukhbir Singh Sandhu highlighted the spirit of collaboration that marked the conference.