ECI holds National Conference of Counsels to strengthen electoral legal framework

The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Saturday convened the second National Conference of ECI Counsels at the India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management (IIIDEM) in New Delhi, aimed at further strengthening the Commission’s legal framework and strategy.

Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar inaugurated the conference 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 from across the country.

Addressing the gathering, CEC Gyanesh Kumar emphasised the importance of accurate electoral rolls in ensuring free and fair elections. “Fair rolls lead to fair polls. That’s the moment today and India is in it,” he said. He also described Booth Level Officers (BLOs) and Booth Level Agents (BLAs) as the backbone of electoral roll management and congratulated voters in the recently concluded Assembly elections in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal for their strong participation. He also noted the high level of electoral competition witnessed during the polls and praised the Commission’s legal counsels for their efforts in defending ECI’s positions before courts.

Election Commissioner Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu said the conference would help enhance coordination between the Commission and its legal representatives nationwide. Election Commissioner Dr. Vivek Joshi highlighted the importance of the forum in addressing emerging legal challenges and sharing experiences to formulate effective legal strategies for safeguarding electoral integrity.

Held under the theme “A Year of Legal Challenges, Experiences, Learnings and the Way Forward”, the conference served as a platform for discussions on key electoral and legal issues. Interactive sessions focused on electoral roll management, Special Intensive Revision (SIR), polling and counting procedures, and Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) demonstrations.

The conference also featured experience-sharing sessions by advocates and deliberations on election laws, judicial proceedings, legal reforms, institutional coordination, media narratives, and the Commission’s technology-driven initiatives, including ECINET.

Building on the outcomes of the inaugural National Conference of ECI Counsels held in 2025, the event provided an opportunity to review progress, exchange insights and identify future priorities for strengthening the Commission’s legal and institutional framework.