Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) of India, Shri Gyanesh Kumar, delivered the keynote address at the Stockholm International Conference on Electoral Integrity, organized by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA). Addressing over 100 participants from around 50 countries, Shri Kumar showcased India’s commitment to electoral integrity, the scale of its democratic exercise, and the inclusive and transparent processes that define its elections.
Emphasizing India's leadership in election management, Shri Kumar reaffirmed the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) ongoing contribution to global electoral capacity-building programs. He underlined that conducting free and fair elections is a reflection of India's unwavering national commitment to democratic values.
He shed light on the massive logistical coordination behind India's elections—especially parliamentary polls—managed under the close scrutiny of political parties, candidates, media, and election observers. With over 20 million personnel involved, including polling staff, security forces, and agents, the ECI becomes the world’s largest operational organization during elections, surpassing even major global corporations and national governments in scale.
CEC Kumar highlighted India’s remarkable electoral journey—from 173 million electors in 1951–52 to 979 million in 2024, and from just 200,000 polling stations to over 1.05 million today. He noted that the 2024 General Elections included participation from 743 political parties (6 national, 67 state, and others), with 20,271 candidates contesting across the country using 6.2 million Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs)—a testimony to India’s inclusive, efficient, and secure electoral framework.
He also emphasized the transparency of the Indian electoral system, pointing to the statutory provision of sharing the Electoral Roll with all recognized political parties annually and before each election—a practice in place since 1960. This rigorous mechanism, which allows for claims, objections, and appeals, reinforces public trust and the credibility of the electoral process.
Highlighting the inclusive design of Indian elections, Shri Kumar noted that special attention is given to first-time voters, senior citizens aged 85+, persons with disabilities, third-gender electors, and voters in remote or geographically challenging regions. He cited the example of polling stations set up for a single voter or in high-altitude areas like Tashigang in Himachal Pradesh, reaffirming that inclusion is not just a logistical effort but a constitutional mandate.
On the sidelines of the conference, Shri Kumar engaged in bilateral discussions with electoral counterparts from countries including Mexico, Indonesia, Mongolia, South Africa, Switzerland, Moldova, Lithuania, Mauritius, Germany, Croatia, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom. These meetings focused on strengthening collaboration in areas such as voter participation, electoral technologies, diaspora voting, and institutional development.