Gyanesh Kumar Delivers Keynote Address at the Stockholm International Conference on Electoral Integrity
Chandigarh, June 11: Highlighting India’s electoral integrity, scale and diversity, Gyanesh Kumar, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) of India, while delivering his keynote address at the Stockholm International Conference on Electoral Integrity in Sweden last evening, reaffirmed the role of the Election Commission of India (ECI) in capacity building programmes for Election Management Bodies (EMB) of countries around the globe. Conducting elections with utmost integrity is a testament to our national resolve, he emphasized. Over 100 participants from Election Management Bodies (EMBs) of around 50 countries are attending the Conference, which the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) is organizing.
India’s Elections: A Global-Scale Democratic Exercise
Gyanesh Kumar also informed the participants that the ECI undertakes the massive election exercise—especially during parliamentary elections—under the close watch of political parties, candidates, general, police and expenditure observers, and the media, who, he stated, act like concurrent auditors at various stages.The CEC also highlighted the scale of coordination that underpins the conduct of elections in India. With over 20 million personnel, including polling staff, police forces, observers, and agents of political parties at the time of conduct of elections, ECI becomes the world’s largest organisation, surpassing the combined workforce of several national governments and major global corporations and ensures that India’s nearly one billion electors are freely able to exercise their franchise.
Further, speaking at this global platform, Gyanesh Kumar traced the evolution of Indian elections over the decades. He noted how the system has adapted to increasing complexity. The system has remained rooted in constitutional values. From 173 million electors in 1951-52 to 979 million in 2024, and from just 0.2 million polling stations in the early years to over 1.05 million today, India’s electoral journey has demonstrated both institutional foresight and unmatched scale. He noted that the 2024 General Elections saw the participation of 743 political parties. These included six national parties, 67 state parties, and the other registered political parties. A total of 20,271 candidates contested elections conducted across the length and breadth of the country using 6.2 million Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), reaffirming the Commission’s capability to conduct elections that are inclusive, efficient, and secure.
Gyanesh Kumar underscored the statutory sharing of India’s Electoral Roll with all recognized political parties every year during revision. This process takes place as well as before the elections, from 1960 till today. It includes provisions for claims, objections, and appeals. He described this as one of the world’s most rigorous and transparent exercises. This process reinforces the accuracy and integrity of the electoral process. He noted that this robust mechanism plays a vital role in upholding electoral credibility across the country, year after year.
“Inclusive Design of Indian Elections: A Commitment to Every Voter”
Reflecting on the inclusive design of Indian elections, he stated that the electoral process serves first-time voters. It also serves senior citizens aged 85+ and persons with special abilities. Additionally, it includes third-gender electors and voters in the most inaccessible regions with equal care and commitment. “India reiterated its commitment to leaving no voter behind. It demonstrates this commitment from polling booths with a single elector to the highest altitude stations like Tashigang in Himachal Pradesh, treating it as a constitutional principle.” It also extends to the highest altitude stations like Tashigang in Himachal Pradesh. We regard this commitment as a constitutional principle, not a logistical challenge.
