Brainstorming on making local body elections easy, transparent and tech-enabled

Consensus reached on EVM management, sharing of electoral database and holding elections on time

Visit to the new Vidhansabha, Nava Raipur and the country's first digital tribal museum

Raipur, September 17, 2026/ An important meeting of the Standing Committee of State Election Commissioners was held today at the office of the State Election Commission of Chhattisgarh, located in Nava Raipur Atal Nagar. Held as part of the 32nd All India State Election Commissioners Conference, Election Commissioners from various states discussed important issues related to making local body elections more accessible, fair, equipped with modern technology, and timely.

The meeting discussed the progress of the work of the three sub-committees formed by the Standing Committee. It discussed technological initiatives and online systems implemented in states, so that other states can also implement them to improve electoral processes. Similarly, discussions focused on developing an EVM Management System software for sharing EVMs between states, if needed, a responsibility for which is being handled by the Bihar State Election Commission. It also discussed the exchange of best practices adopted for successful election conduct and addressing practical difficulties in conducting elections on time.

Consensus on electoral database and M-3 model EVM

The meeting discussed sharing electoral databases between states, a suggestion made by the Gujarat and Maharashtra State Election Commissions. It also agreed on providing M-3 model EVMs to states when needed and their joint use, as proposed by the West Bengal State Election Commission. Emphasis was also placed on sharing information on election schedules and conducting study tours to understand the electoral systems and innovations of other states.

The meeting selected Pune as a possible venue for the upcoming National Conference of State Election Commissioners on "Cooperative Federalism and Multilevel Governance." Meanwhile, Mr. Chandan Kumar, Chief Executive Officer of the Nava Raipur Atal Nagar Vikas Pradhikaran (NRDA), gave a presentation on the development and modernization of Nava Raipur.

Appreciation of the new assembly and Nava Raipur

Following the meeting, the Election Commissioners from various states, along with their families, visited the new Chhattisgarh Assembly building located in Sector 19 of Naya Raipur. During the meeting, they visited the House and inspected the legislative work and the functioning of the House. It is noteworthy that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated this new Assembly building on November 1, 2025, to mark the 25th anniversary of the establishment of Chhattisgarh. They also inspected key sectors of Naya Raipur. The Commissioners observed the rapidly developing world-class facilities in the fields of education, health, and new technology and commended Naya Raipur's development model as a modern and well-planned smart city.

A glimpse of Chhattisgarh's tribal struggles seen in the Digital Tribal Museum

At the end of the tour, the Election Commissioners, along with their families, visited the country's first digital tribal museum, the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh Memorial-cum-Tribal Freedom Fighter Museum, located in Nava Raipur. The Commissioners closely observed and understood the inspiring stories of Chhattisgarh's historical tribal movements and freedom struggle, displayed through digital technology and screens in 14 different sectors of the museum. They highly appreciated the live performances of historical struggles such as the Halba Rebellion, Surguja Rebellion, Bhopalpatnam, Paralkot, Tarapur, Lingagiri, Koi, Maria, Muria, Rani Chauris, Bhumkal, Sonakhan Rebellion, Flag Satyagraha, and Jungle Satyagraha. They then enjoyed the evening cultural program organized at the Tribal Museum, featuring performances by renowned folk artists from Chhattisgarh.