Elections in India are held transparently under the audit of political parties and candidates: CEC

Chief Election Commissioner of India Gyanesh Kumar addresses a press conference on Electoral Literacy Clubs (ELC 2.0) and the ECINET application at the Indira Gandhi Pratishthan, in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh on Monday (August 24, 2026). | Photo Credit: PTI Elections in India are conducted transparently under the concurrent audit of political parties, candidates or their representatives at all stages, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar said on Monday (August 24, 2026).He was speaking at the second regional conference on “Electoral Literacy Clubs (ELC 2.0) and ECINET” in Lucknow which focuses on strengthening electoral literacy and democratic awareness among young citizens through educational institutions.Addressing the participants, comprising students and teachers from schools and colleges across Uttar Pradesh, he said that elections in India are held strictly as per the Constitution, law and instructions issued by the Election Commission and are conducted transparently under the concurrent audit of political parties, candidates or their representatives at all stages.Describing students as the future of the nation, the CEC said the ELCs are imperative to carry forth the knowledge and understanding of electoral processes and enrich democracy. He underlined the need for students and young electors to get familiarised with India’s electoral system, democratic values, electoral registration, polling and counting processes, and the role and functioning of the EC.ELC 2.0, with the tagline, “Learn Democracy. Lead Democracy”, reinforces the objective of encouraging young and first-time voters not only to understand democracy but also to participate meaningfully and contribute to its progress, an official statement by the EC said.It said that the initiative assumes significance in view of India’s extensive educational ecosystem, comprising approximately 15 lakh schools with nearly 25 crore students and over one crore teachers. The higher education sector comprises nearly 1,500 universities and around 70,000 educational institutions, with an estimated enrolment of 4.33 crore students.As part of the two-day conference, Mr. Kumar will hold an interaction with Booth Level Officers (BLOs) of Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday (August 25, 2026).Assembly election is scheduled to be held in Uttar Pradesh early next year. Published - August 24, 2026 07:58 pm IST