Itanagar, January 21, 2026: Arunachal Pradesh made a significant contribution to international discussions on electoral governance by leading a key thematic session at the India International Conference on Democracy and Election Management (IICDEM) 2026, currently underway in New Delhi. The session, titled “Political Parties and Candidates,” concluded on a highly productive note, drawing participation from election administrators, policymakers, academics and international experts from across the world.
The three-day conference, being held from January 21 to 23, is organised by the Election Commission of India in collaboration with the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) and the India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management (IIIDEM). The event has brought together nearly 100 international delegates representing election management bodies from more than 43 countries, along with representatives of international organisations, diplomatic missions, research institutions and academic bodies.
The thematic session on “Political Parties and Candidates” was initiated and moderated by Pawan Kumar Sain, IAS, Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Arunachal Pradesh. Setting the tone for the discussions, Sain provided a comprehensive overview of the topic, highlighting the critical role political parties and candidates play in strengthening democratic institutions. He outlined the major dimensions of the theme and facilitated a dynamic exchange of ideas among the speakers and participants.
The session featured presentations from distinguished experts who shared global and regional perspectives on electoral systems and political party management. Anne Marel Linger, Member of the OKB, Suriname, spoke about comparative political party frameworks and candidate engagement practices adopted in different democracies. She highlighted successful models and best practices that can contribute to stronger democratic participation and accountability.
Masego Sheburi, Deputy Chief Electoral Officer of South Africa, presented insights into the functioning of political parties within South Africa’s electoral system. Her presentation focused on transparency, inclusiveness and mechanisms that ensure fair representation in candidate selection processes.
Providing an Indian academic perspective, Prof. Nani Bath, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences at Rajiv Gandhi University, examined the evolution and organisational structure of political parties in India. He also discussed contemporary challenges facing the country’s vibrant multiparty democracy and the need for continuous reforms to strengthen democratic institutions.
Vishakha Yadav, IAS, shared practical experiences from the field, highlighting election management practices in Arunachal Pradesh and discussing how electoral systems are adapted to local realities and diverse geographical conditions.
The session concluded with an insightful presentation by Ashutosh Kumar, who elaborated on the Model Code of Conduct (MCC). He described the MCC as a cornerstone of India’s electoral framework, explaining its role in maintaining fairness, transparency and accountability during elections.
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An interactive question-and-answer session followed, with delegates actively engaging with the panelists and exchanging views on contemporary electoral challenges and solutions. Participants appreciated the diverse perspectives presented during the session and acknowledged the practical insights gained through the discussions.
The Arunachal Pradesh delegation at IICDEM 2026 was led by CEO Pawan Kumar Sain and included Liken Koyu, APCS; Shania Kayem Mize, APCS; Prof. Nani Bath; Advocate Nani Anju, Legal Counsel; and National Level Master Trainers Rosalind Pertin, Dr. Sunand Sinha and Ripi Doni.
The successful conduct of the session highlighted Arunachal Pradesh’s growing role in national and international electoral discourse and showcased the state’s contribution to advancing democratic best practices.
