India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management (Iidem) Launched at ECI

The Election Commission of India June 17th  launched the India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management- an advanced resource centre of learning, research, training and extension for participatory democracy and election management. The first phase of this premier institute was inaugurated jointly at the Commission premises in New Delhi by Chief Election Commissioner of India Dr. S. Y. Quraishi and Election Commissioner from Kenya Mr. Ken Nyaundi. The two Election Commissioners Shri V.S. Sampath and Shri H. S. Brahma, also were present. Senior Officials of the Commission and delegates from South Africa and Commonwealth Secretariat attended the function. The first course of IIDEM will be held later this month for the Electoral Commission of Kenya.

IIDEM has four components. These are Training and Capacity Development, Voter Education and Civic Participation, Research, Innovation and Documentation and International Projects and Technical Collaboration. The Institute will be a national and international hub for exchange of good practices in election management.

In the initial phase, IIDEM operating from Nirvachan Sadan, has a capacity for 150 trainees. It has three modern lecture halls and related facilities. The Institute will have its own campus with state of the art training and conference facilities, hostel, library and resource centre, in the national capital, for which location is being finalized.

The Institute is being developed in collaboration with the Government of India, United Nations, the Commonwealth and inter-governmental organisations like Sweden based International Institute of Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA). The 54 member Commonwealth group has proposed to set up a resource centre for its member nations at IIDEM.

The Institute will direct its efforts to enhance the potential and capacity of the Election Commission and its officials in carrying out their mandate and functions in a more effective and professional manner. It carries the goal of meticulous, accurate, voter friendly implementation of election processes by committed, competent, credible and skilled managers and associated groups.

IIDEM will work for promoting democratic values and practices, enhancing voter education and awareness and developing human resource and capacities for efficient conduct of free and fair elections in India and for developing mutually beneficial partnership as well as collaborations with other countries.