ECI Hosts Global Workshop on Electoral Risk Management and Resilience in New Delhi

Officials noted that modern electoral systems face a wide range of evolving risks that can impact electoral integrity, continuity, legitimacy, public confidence, and democratic stability.

The Election Commission of India (ECI), in collaboration with the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA), has launched a five-day international workshop on "Risk Management and Electoral Resilience" at the India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management (IIIDEM) in New Delhi.

The workshop, being held from 25 to 29 May 2026 under India's Chairship Programme 2026 of International IDEA, brings together election management experts, senior electoral officials, and governance professionals from across the world to strengthen institutional preparedness and resilience in electoral systems.

The inaugural session was addressed by Chief Election Commissioner Shri Gyanesh Kumar along with Election Commissioners Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Dr. Vivek Joshi. The Election Commission leadership also interacted directly with the participants during the opening day discussions, highlighting India's commitment to strengthening democratic institutions and promoting global cooperation in election management.

A total of 32 participants representing 12 countries are attending the programme. The participants include Election Commissioners, senior officials of Election Management Bodies (EMBs), electoral administrators, technology experts, crisis management professionals, and specialists working in the areas of electoral integrity and risk management.

The workshop is aimed at helping Electoral Management Bodies develop structured frameworks and operational systems for identifying, assessing, and mitigating electoral risks in an increasingly complex global environment marked by technological disruptions, misinformation, cyber threats, political polarisation, and logistical challenges.

Officials noted that modern electoral systems face a wide range of evolving risks that can impact electoral integrity, continuity, legitimacy, public confidence, and democratic stability. The programme therefore focuses on building institutional resilience and proactive risk management capabilities within election authorities.

During the discussions, participants emphasised the importance of anticipating and managing electoral risks before they escalate into crises capable of undermining democratic processes. The workshop highlighted the growing need for evidence-based planning, coordinated response systems, and adaptive institutional mechanisms in election administration.

The programme covers a broad range of thematic areas related to electoral governance and resilience. These include the foundations of electoral risk management, electoral integrity safeguards, crisis preparedness, resilience planning, risk identification methodologies, and strategic coordination among agencies involved in election management.

Special attention is also being given to inter-agency coordination and the role of technology in strengthening election security and operational preparedness. Participants are discussing how election authorities can collaborate effectively with security agencies, civil administration, media institutions, technology providers, and civil society organisations to ensure smooth and credible electoral processes.

One of the major highlights of the workshop is the practical training on the Electoral Risk Management Tool (ERM Tool), a specialised system used for identifying, analysing, monitoring, and mitigating electoral risks. The programme includes demonstrations and simulation exercises involving the customisation of risk factor libraries, Risk and Action Registers (RAR), analytical tools, and digital resource platforms.

Experts explained that the ERM Tool enables election authorities to map vulnerabilities, track emerging risks, prioritise interventions, and develop structured response plans tailored to specific electoral environments.

The workshop also includes field exposure visits and institutional interactions aimed at providing participants with practical understanding of ground-level electoral planning, coordination mechanisms, logistics management, and risk mitigation strategies implemented during large-scale democratic exercises.

India's election management system is widely recognised globally for conducting elections at an unprecedented scale involving millions of polling personnel, hundreds of political parties, and hundreds of millions of voters across geographically diverse and socially complex regions.

The India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management (IIIDEM), established by the Election Commission of India, has increasingly emerged as a global centre for training, research, and capacity building in election administration and democratic governance.

The workshop forms part of the broader IIIDEM–International IDEA collaboration framework on Risk Management and Electoral Resilience under India's Chairship of the Council of Member States of International IDEA for 2026.

International IDEA is an intergovernmental organisation that works globally to support sustainable democracy, strengthen electoral processes, and promote democratic governance through research, technical assistance, and institutional cooperation.

Officials stated that India's chairship of International IDEA provides an important opportunity to share its electoral management experience with other democracies while also learning from international best practices in managing electoral challenges.

The workshop reflects growing international recognition that electoral resilience is increasingly critical in an era shaped by digital disruption, cyber threats, misinformation campaigns, climate-related disruptions, security challenges, and rapidly evolving political dynamics.

Experts believe that strengthening risk management systems and institutional preparedness will play a vital role in protecting democratic credibility, enhancing public trust in elections, and ensuring the continuity of democratic governance globally.