The Election Commission of India (ECI) will convene the National Round Table Conference with State Election Commissioners (SECs) on February 24, 2026, at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
This marks the first such conference in 27 years, the last being held in 1999.
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar will chair the conference, joined by Election Commissioners Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Dr. Vivek Joshi. State Election Commissioners from all States and Union Territories will participate, accompanied by legal and technical experts. Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) of all 36 States and Union Territories will also attend.
The conference aims to strengthen synergy between the ECI and SECs in managing electoral processes and logistics within their respective legal frameworks. Officials expect the deliberations to foster cooperative federalism in electoral management.
Discussions will cover technology sharing, Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), and Electoral Rolls. Senior officials will present key initiatives, including the ECINET digital platform, designed to streamline electoral services. Presentations will also highlight transparency and safeguards in EVMs.
A comparative presentation on State and UT-wise eligibility of electors under the Representation of the People Act, 1950, will facilitate informed deliberations on legal frameworks governing Electoral Roll preparation.
State Election Commissions, created under the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments, oversee elections to Panchayats and Municipal Bodies under Articles 243K and 243ZA. The conference underscores the importance of collaboration between national and state-level institutions in ensuring free and fair elections.
