ITANAGAR : Governor Lt Gen KT Parnaik (Retd.) on Friday said the future of democracy depends on making ballot access more inclusive, accessible and meaningful for every eligible citizen while safeguarding the integrity and credibility of the electoral process.

The Governor was delivering the keynote address at the virtual International Conference on ‘Ballot Access by Political Parties and Candidates’, organised by the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer, Arunachal Pradesh, under the guidance of the India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management (IIIDEM) in collaboration with Rajiv Gandhi University (RGU), Rono Hills.

Emphasising the need for continuous reforms, the Governor said a clear understanding of existing challenges enables the formulation of more effective policies and responsive governance. He urged all stakeholders to approach electoral issues with sensitivity, empathy and an inclusive outlook to ensure that democratic institutions remain people-centric.

Drawing from his years in public service, Parnaik said strong institutions endure not merely through authority but through their willingness to learn, adapt and embrace constructive change.

Describing the conference as a celebration of democracy’s enduring values, he said it reaffirmed the collective commitment to ensuring that every eligible citizen can participate in the electoral process, every genuine political voice is heard and democratic institutions remain fair, transparent and inclusive.

The Governor appreciated the Election Commission of India and the India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management for bringing together election practitioners, technology experts, academicians, media professionals and international partners to deliberate on emerging electoral challenges. He also lauded the participation of the Chief Electoral Officer offices of all states in thematic research on election management.

Referring to India’s position as the world’s largest democracy, he highlighted initiatives such as the Atlas of Democracies of the World and ECI-Net as examples of the country’s commitment to innovation and global cooperation in electoral management. He noted that hosting the deliberations in Arunachal Pradesh was significant, particularly when the state is undertaking the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls covering nearly 8.9 lakh electors.

Stressing the importance of technology in elections, the Governor said digital innovations should be harnessed to enhance transparency, efficiency and public confidence while remaining vigilant against emerging challenges.

He also called for greater participation of women, youth, indigenous communities, persons with disabilities and other underrepresented groups in democratic processes, saying their aspirations and perspectives are essential for building stronger and more representative societies.

Highlighting the importance of international cooperation, Parnaik said Election Management Bodies across the world should continue sharing knowledge, best practices and experiences to build resilient, innovative and responsive democratic institutions.

Chief Electoral Officer Pawan Kumar Sain, Joint Chief Electoral Officer Liken Koyu, Administrative Reforms Commission Chairman Pramod K. Jain, and Rajiv Gandhi University Professor S.K. Nayak also addressed the conference.

The conference featured thematic presentations on electoral resilience and democratic participation by East Kameng Deputy Commissioner Yashaswani B, Longding Deputy Commissioner Kunal Yadav and Keyi Panyor Superintendent of Police Angad Mehta. Academic experts, including Professor Chandrachur Singh of Hindu College, Delhi, Professor Rohit Dwivedi of the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Shillong, and Professor Vandana Mishra of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), also delivered presentations, followed by interactive discussions.

The conference was attended virtually by representatives from several countries, Chief Electoral Officers of all states and District Election Officers from across India, while a number of delegates participated physically.