ECI Holds National Conference of Legal Counsels to Strengthen Electoral Legal Framework
New Delhi, May 31: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Saturday convened the 2nd National Conference of ECI Counsels 2026 at the India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management (IIIDEM) in New Delhi, with a focus on strengthening the Commission’s legal framework and enhancing coordination with its legal representatives across the country.
The conference was inaugurated by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar in the presence of Election Commissioners Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Dr. Vivek Joshi. The event brought together advocates representing the Commission before the Supreme Court and various High Courts, along with Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) and senior ECI officials.
Addressing the gathering, CEC Gyanesh Kumar underscored the importance of maintaining accurate electoral rolls, stating that “fair rolls lead to fair polls.” He described the current period as a significant moment in India’s democratic journey and praised Booth Level Officers (BLOs) and Booth Level Agents (BLAs) for their crucial role in electoral roll management.
The Chief Election Commissioner also congratulated voters in the recently concluded Assembly elections in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal for their enthusiastic participation, describing the elections as highly competitive and reflective of a vibrant democratic process. He further acknowledged the efforts of legal counsels representing the Commission in courts across the country.
Election Commissioner Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu emphasized that the one-day conference would help strengthen coordination between the ECI and its legal representatives nationwide. Meanwhile, Election Commissioner Dr. Vivek Joshi highlighted the importance of sharing experiences and addressing emerging legal challenges to formulate effective legal strategies that uphold electoral integrity in a rapidly evolving electoral landscape.
Held under the theme “A Year of Legal Challenges, Experiences, Learnings and the Way Forward,” the conference served as a platform for dialogue between election administrators and legal professionals. Discussions focused on key electoral processes, including electoral roll management, Special Intensive Revision (SIR), polling and counting procedures, and demonstrations of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).
Participants also engaged in experience-sharing sessions covering election laws, judicial proceedings, legal reforms, institutional coordination, media narratives, and technology-driven initiatives of the Election Commission, including the ECINET platform. These discussions aimed to identify emerging issues and strengthen the Commission’s preparedness in dealing with legal and electoral challenges.
The conference builds upon the outcomes of the inaugural National Conference of ECI Counsels held in 2025 and seeks to review progress made over the past year while charting priorities for further strengthening the Election Commission’s legal and institutional framework.
Source: Press Information Bureau (PIB), Government of India
