SIR in Delhi: BJP welcomes ECI’s announcement
Party's Delhi unit chief Virendra Sachdeva said that the BJP has constituted teams of workers to assist voters in resolving any issues they might face during the SIR process.
The Election Commission of India (ECI), in collaboration with State Election Commissioners (SECs), on Tuesday concluded its National Round Table Conference with the unanimous adoption of the “National Declaration 2026”, under the leadership of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The declaration lays out a comprehensive roadmap to enhance electoral transparency, streamline processes, and promote greater coordination between national and state election authorities.
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Announcing the outcomes, the ECI said, “Preparation of pure electoral rolls forms the bedrock of democracy, and the transparent and efficient conduct of elections strengthens the very essence of democratic governance.” It emphasised that maintaining the integrity of voter lists and ensuring free and fair elections remain a national priority.
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The Commission reiterated that high-quality electoral rolls are essential for ensuring free and fair elections at all levels of governance.
The declaration encourages SECs to develop mutually acceptable mechanisms and legally sound frameworks for collaboration with the ECI in all election-related processes, including sharing the ECINET platform, Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), electoral rolls, and advanced infrastructure at the International Institute for Election Management (IIIDEM).
The ECI and SECs also agreed to align laws governing Panchayat and Municipal elections with those applicable to Parliamentary and State Assembly elections, in order to reduce inconsistencies and promote legal clarity.
SECs were encouraged to participate in ECI-led international engagements, and the Commission proposed holding the National Round Table Conference annually, preferably alongside global election conferences chaired by the ECI.
A joint team of legal and technical officers, led by the concerned Deputy Election Commissioners, will examine all recommendations submitted by SECs. A State and Union Territory-wise action plan will be prepared and submitted to the Commission within three months for implementation.
Highlighting the significance of the conference, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar said, “This event reflects our commitment to continuously improving electoral governance and ensuring that election processes across the country remain transparent, efficient, and legally robust. Collaboration between the ECI and SECs is vital for a strong democracy.”
The conference provided a platform for detailed dialogue between the ECI and SECs, reinforcing the importance of coordination, legal alignment, and adherence to international best practices in electoral management.
The initiative is being seen as a significant step towards building a more integrated and citizen-centric electoral ecosystem in India, in line with the Commission’s vision of free, transparent and efficient elections as the cornerstone of democratic governance.
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