National conference at IIIDEM focuses on AI challenges, digital communication and strengthening voter outreach
TFP Bureau, New Delhi, July 4,2026: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has stepped up efforts to strengthen election communication by training media and public relations officials from across the country to counter misinformation, enhance voter awareness and improve public outreach in an increasingly digital information environment.
The Commission organised its second one-day National Conference for Media and Communication Officers at the India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management (IIIDEM) in New Delhi on Friday. More than 260 participants, including media nodal officers, social media nodal officers, District Public Relations Officers and senior officials from public relations departments of 16 states and Union Territories, attended the programme. Chhattisgarh was represented by the Assistant Chief Electoral Officer, the Additional Director of the State Public Relations Department and District Public Relations Officers from all 33 districts.
In his inaugural address, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar said every decision and action of the Election Commission is guided by the Constitution, electoral laws and transparent guidelines issued by the Commission. Stressing the growing importance of credible communication, he urged media and communication officers to actively counter fake news and misinformation on social media by ensuring the timely dissemination of verified and factual information.
He said the high voter turnout recorded in recent Assembly elections reflected the confidence reposed by citizens in India’s democratic institutions and the electoral process.
Election Commissioner Vivek Joshi highlighted the emerging challenges posed by Artificial Intelligence, deepfakes and misleading digital content. He called on officials to effectively address these threats in accordance with the Commission’s guidelines and underlined the need to encourage greater participation of young voters through Electoral Literacy Clubs.
The conference included technical and practical sessions on communication strategies during different stages of elections, electoral roll management, polling and counting procedures, ECINet, constitutional and legal provisions, media relations, press release drafting, effective use of social media and mechanisms for tackling misinformation.
Participants also witnessed practical demonstrations of election processes and visited IIIDEM’s exhibition and media facilities. Officials from states that recently conducted elections shared their experiences and best practices in election management and public communication before the programme concluded with an interactive session between participants and senior Election Commission officials.
