Leh, July 23: Chief Secretary of the Union Territory of Ladakh, Ashish Kundra, on Thursday inaugurated a two-day international conference on “Legal Framework of Election Management Body Independence” in Leh, highlighting the critical role of independent election institutions in safeguarding democratic values and public trust.
Organised by the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer, UT Ladakh, in collaboration with the Election Commission of India (ECI), the India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management (IIIDEM) and International IDEA, the conference has brought together constitutional experts, election administrators, legal scholars, academicians and international delegates from across the globe.
Addressing the inaugural session, Kundra said that India’s electoral system has evolved significantly under the constitutional framework, adopting innovations such as Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), VVPATs and remote voting technologies while ensuring free, fair and transparent elections. He stressed that every electoral reform must strengthen public confidence in democratic institutions.
Chief Electoral Officer Rahul Sharma described the conference as an important platform to promote dialogue on independent, transparent and accountable election management systems. He said strong legal frameworks are essential to protect the integrity of elections and the voting rights of every eligible citizen.
A key highlight of the conference was the presentation of an international research initiative covering over 150 jurisdictions, proposing 64 Model International Electoral Standards (MIES) as global benchmarks for evaluating the legal and institutional independence of Election Management Bodies.
The conference also featured technical sessions on constitutional safeguards, statutory frameworks, appointment procedures, tenure security and financial autonomy of Election Management Bodies. Experts from India and abroad exchanged views on global best practices and reforms to strengthen democratic institutions.
The two-day conference will continue with expert discussions and research presentations aimed at developing practical recommendations for enhancing the independence, transparency and accountability of Election Management Bodies worldwide.
