3rd International Conference of the Cohort on Election Integrity hosted by ECI

Democracy Cohort on Election Integrity: The International Conference on Election Integrity is organized by ECI to share its knowledge, technical expertise and experiences with other democracies of the world. 3rd International Conference of Election Cohort is also important for UPSC Prelims 2023 and UPSC Mains Exam (GS Paper 2- Various Government Initiatives to promote various sectors)

3^rd International Conference of Cohort in News

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has hosted the 3rd International Conference on Election Integrity in virtual format on 09 March 2023. ECI is leading the Cohort on Elections Integrity which was established as a follow up to the ‘Summit for Democracy’ held virtually in December, 2021.

3^rd International Conference of Democracy Cohort

ECI acts as the lead for the Cohort on ‘Election Integrity’. The conference of election integrity saw participation of over 46 Participants from 25 Countries/EMBs including Angola, Armenia, Australia, Canada, Chile Costa Rica, Croatia, Denmark, Dominica, Georgia, Guyana, Kenya, Rep. of Korea, Mauritius, Moldova, Norway, Philippines, Portugal, Romania, St. Lucia, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland and Zambia.

• Representatives of international organisations from International IDEA and International foundation for Electoral systems and representatives from Civil Society Organisations viz. General Election Network for Disability Access in Indonesia and Association of Youth Organisations in Nepal are also expected to participate in the Conference.
• The 3rd International Conference was organized on the theme ‘Inclusive Elections and Elections Integrity’.
• ECI, as lead cohort, has taken a collaborative approach and invited Greece, Mauritius and IFES to be co-leads for the Cohort.
• ECI has also invited International Foundation for Electoral Systems and International IDEA, apart from EMBs and Government counterparts dealing with the conduct of elections worldwide.

Previous Conferences of Cohort

• The first international conference of the Cohort was organized on 31 Oct – 01 Nov, 2022 at New Delhi.
  • It was organized on the topic ‘Role, Framework and Capacity of Election Management Bodies’.
  • Nearly 50 representatives from the Election Management Bodies (EMBs) of 11 countries participated.
• The 2nd Conference was hosted by ECI at New Delhi on 23-24 January 2023 wherein over 40 participants from 16 countries including Heads/Dy Heads of nine EMBs or Election Authorities and delegates from International IDEA and IFES participated besides diplomats from 8 foreign missions located at New Delhi.
  • The 2nd Conference was hosted by ECI on the theme ‘Use of Technology and Elections Integrity’.

Role of ECI in Summit for Democracy

As part of the ‘Summit for Democracy’ Year of Action, India through the ECI, is leading the ‘Democracy Cohort on Election Integrity’.

• ECI is leading the ‘Democracy Cohort on Election Integrity’ to share its knowledge, technical expertise and experiences with other democracies of the world.
• ECI, as its lead, has also organised four training and capacity building programmes during Nov 2022 –  Mar 2023, under the aegis of the Cohort for over 60 officials from 46 Election Management Bodies (EMBs) across the world.

Summit for Democracy

The Summit for Democracy is an initiative the US President with an aim to “renew the spirit and shared purpose” of the nations of the Free World. Global Summit for Democracy is to be an annual summit.

• Key Objective: Global Summit for Democracy aims to bring together the world’s democracies-

• • To strengthen their democratic institutions,
  • Honestly confront the challenge of nations that are backsliding, and
  • Forge a common agenda to address threats to our common values.
• Key Themes of Democratic Summit: Global Summit for Democracy will be held around three themes:

1. 1. Defending against authoritarianism,
   2. Fighting corruption,
   3. Promoting respect for human rights.

• Participation: This virtual Democratic Summit envisages the participation of leaders from government, civil society, and the private sector.
• • • The invitees from the Asia-Pacific region to the Democratic Summit 2021 included India, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Pakistan, Maldives, and the Philippines.
    • Countries like China and Bangladesh were not invited to the first Summit for Democracies.

• The 2nd Summit for Democracy is scheduled to be held on 29- 30 March 2023 and co-hosted by governments of Costa Rica, Rep. of Korea, Netherlands, Zambia and the US.

International Conference of Cohort on Election Integrity FAQs

1. Who is the lead cohort of ‘Democracy Cohort on Election Integrity’?

Ans. The Election Commission of India (ECI) is the lead cohort of ‘Democracy Cohort on Election Integrity’.

2. What is the theme of 3rd International Conference on Election Integrity?

Ans. The 3rd International Conference was organized on the theme ‘Inclusive Elections and Elections Integrity’.

3. When is the 2^nd Summit for Democracy scheduled to be held?

Ans. The 2^nd Summit for Democracy is scheduled to be held on 29- 30 March 2023 and co-hosted by governments of Costa Rica, Rep. of Korea, Netherlands, Zambia and the US.

Democracy Summit: India Participated in first Summit for Democracy

Democracy Summit: India Participated in first Summit for Democracy

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