Odisha Journalists Participate in ECI’s All India Media Conference 2026 in New Delhi

Senior journalists and media representatives from Odisha participated in the All India Media Conference 2026, organised by the Election Commission of India (ECI) at the India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management (IIIDEM) in New Delhi. The conference focused on strengthening democracy through responsible journalism and transparent election reporting.

Addressing the gathering, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar said India’s electoral process is conducted strictly in accordance with the Constitution, election laws, and guidelines issued by the Election Commission. He stressed that every stage of the election process is subject to continuous scrutiny and audit by various stakeholders, ensuring transparency and credibility.

The CEC noted that the record voter turnout in the recently concluded Assembly elections reflected the strong trust Indian voters place in the country’s electoral system. He also thanked citizens for actively participating in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

The conference aimed to provide media professionals with a comprehensive understanding of election management and the role of political parties, candidates, and other stakeholders in ensuring free and fair elections. Discussions also focused on enhancing transparency and public confidence in the electoral process.

Ashish Goel, Director General (Media) at the ECI, described the media as a vital stakeholder and an important bridge between the Election Commission and voters. This year’s conference theme was “Connecting Stakeholders, Strengthening Democracy: The Role of Media in Elections.”

Sessions highlighted the media’s responsibility in delivering accurate, unbiased and verified information during elections, promoting voter awareness, and countering misinformation and fake news on social and digital platforms. Journalists were encouraged to verify facts thoroughly before publishing reports and to support voter awareness campaigns, particularly regarding the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.

Nine senior journalists from Odisha participated in the conference under the leadership of Dinamani Nayak from the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer, Odisha, joining media professionals from across the country to exchange ideas and best practices for strengthening democratic participation through responsible journalism.