The Election Commission of India and State Election Commissioners (SECs) will collaborate to harmonize the laws related to elections for local bodies (Panchayats and Municipal Bodies) with those related to elections for the Parliament and State Legislatures. This was stated in the National Declaration 2026, which was unanimously adopted during the National Round Table Conference of the Election Commission of India and State Election Commissioners held in New Delhi yesterday.
All State Election Commissioners have resolved to adopt the National Declaration 2026. They have also affirmed that the preparation of accurate electoral rolls is the foundation of democracy, and that the transparent and efficient conduct of elections further strengthens democratic institutions. The Commission stated that, in the national and constitutional interest, it has proposed to work out mutually acceptable mechanisms and legally viable frameworks with all SECs across the country to harmonize election-related processes, including the sharing of the ECINET digital platform, EVMs, and Electoral Rolls. The State Election Commissioners widely appreciated the Conference, which was successfully held after a gap of 27 years.
The ECI and SECs also resolved to conduct the National Round Table Conference annually. The Commission stated that all suggestions received from the SECs during the Conference will be examined, and a state-wise plan of action will be submitted to the Commission within the next three months for a final decision.
