1. The National Round Table Conference of Election Commission of India (ECI) and State Election Commissioners (SECs) organized by ECI concluded yesterday (Tuesday, February 24, 2026) at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
2. State Election Commissions of 30 States participated in the National Round Table Conference chaired by Chief Election Commissioner Shri Gyanesh Kumar in the presence of Election Commissioners Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Dr. Vivek Joshi.
3. The State Election Commissioners widely appreciated National Round Table Conference, which was held successfully after a gap of 27 years. ECI and the SECs resolved to conduct the National Round Table Conference on an annual basis.
4. Under the leadership of CEC Shri Gyanesh Kumar, all SECs resolved to adopt the National Declaration 2026 and affirmed that the preparation of pure electoral rolls are the bedrock of democracy and that transparent and efficient conduct of elections further strengthens democratic institutions.
5. In national and constitutional interest, ECI proposed to work out mutually acceptable mechanisms and legally viable frameworks with all SECs across the country to synergise election-related processes including the sharing of ECINET, EVMs, Electoral Rolls and the world-class training infrastructure at India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management (IIIDEM).
6. The declaration also states that ECI and SECs will work together to synergise the laws relating to elections to Panchayats and Municipal Bodies with those relating to elections to Parliament and State Legislatures, and strengthen cooperation to further national and constitutional interest.
7. ECI also requested the SECs to participate in its international engagements.
8. All suggestions received from SECs during the Conference will be examined in detail by a joint team of legal and technical officers led by the concerned Deputy Election Commissioners of ECI.
9. A State/UT-wise way forward will be submitted to the Commission within the next three months for an appropriate decision in the national interest.

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PK/GDH/RP