INEC Chair Amupitan Attends Conference On Democracy, Election Management In India

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, is participating in a three-day India International Conference on Democracy and Election Management, held in New Delhi from 21 to 23 January 2026.

According to a Wednesday statement on the official X handle of the agency, the high-level conference was organised by the Election Commission of India (ECI) and the India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management (IIIDEM), in collaboration with the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA).

The statement revealed that the conference coincided with the assumption of office of India’s Chief Election Commissioner, Mr Gyanesh Kumar, as Chair of the Council of Member States of International IDEA for 2026.

The statement reads, “The opening inaugural session, held at the Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, featured welcome remarks by the Director General of IIIDEM, followed by the screening of a documentary titled India Decides, which highlighted the evolution and conduct of elections in India and the extensive efforts deployed by the ECI to ensure peaceful and credible electoral processes.”

In his address, the Secretary-General of International IDEA, Dr. Kevin Casa-Zamora, noted that the conference was convened to mark the chairship of the IDEA Council by the Chief Election Commissioner of India.

He emphasised the conference theme, “Democracy for an Inclusive, Peaceful, Resilient and Sustainable World,” explaining that the gathering was designed to foster a shared global vision on contemporary challenges confronting Election Management Bodies (EMBs), while promoting model standards and best practices in election administration. This objective, he noted, aligns with India’s ancient philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam—“the world is one family.”

The statement added that “discussions at the conference were anchored on two interrelated thematic pillars: Reimagining Democracy for the Future and Independent and Professional Election Management Bodies as Foundations for Sustainable Democracy.

“Over the three days, the conference featured a carefully structured mix of high-level plenary sessions, closed-door leadership engagements and thematic discussions covering the entire electoral cycle.

“EMB leaders, electoral practitioners, academics and experts deliberated on key aspects of election management, including legal frameworks, voter registration, political participation, campaign regulation, polling and counting processes, and election technology. Emerging issues such as artificial intelligence, misinformation, electoral risk management, sustainability and democratic inclusion also received significant attention.”

The statement added, “The conference attracted nearly 500 national and international delegates, including Chairpersons and senior officials of EMBs, electoral and academic experts from reputable institutions such as the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and National Law Universities (NLUs), as well as other stakeholders in democracy and governance.

“Professor Amupitan was accompanied by the Acting Director-General of The Electoral Institute (TEI), INEC, Professor Ibrahim Sani. Speaking during a plenary session on Laws and Rules Governing Electoral Democracies, held at MR7, the INEC Chairman expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to engage with experienced election administrators from across the world.”

“He examined the potential and limitations of legal regulation in democratic governance, drawing attention to the need for balanced, enforceable and context-sensitive legal frameworks that strengthen electoral integrity while safeguarding democratic freedoms.

“The conference provided a valuable platform for peer learning and international cooperation, reinforcing INEC’s commitment to continuous improvement through global best practices in election management,” the statement concluded.