The National Round Table Conference of the Election Commission of India and State Election Commissioners concluded in New Delhi with the unanimous adoption of the National Declaration 2026. The declaration stated that the preparation of accurate electoral rolls is the foundation of democracy, and the transparent and efficient conduct of elections strengthens democracy. It also emphasized that, in the national and constitutional interest, the Commission should work out mutually acceptable mechanisms and legally viable frameworks to collaborate with all State Election Commissioners across the country for all possible election processes, including the sharing of ECINET, EVMs, Electoral Rolls, and world-class infrastructure at IIIDEM. The ECI and SECs will work together to harmonize the laws related to elections to local bodies and state legislatures with those related to elections to the Parliament and State Legislatures.
The ECI also requested the SECs to participate in the ECI's international engagements and proposed to hold such a National Round Table Conference with the ECI once a year, preferably alongside international conferences chaired by the ECI. The Election Commission stated that all suggestions given by the SECs in this National Round Table Conference will be thoroughly studied by a joint team of legal and technical officers led by concerned DECs of the ECI. A state- and UT-wise plan will be submitted to the Election Commission of India within the next three months for the best possible decision in the national interest.
Earlier today, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar emphasized the importance of accurate electoral rolls, stating that the Special Intensive Revision exercise was initiated to include all eligible electors in the electoral rolls, while ineligible electors should be excluded. He also mentioned that the SIR is currently underway in 12 states, and out of those, 11 states have already published their electoral rolls.
