JAMMU: The Office of the Chief Electoral Officer, Jammu and Kashmir, held its first International Conference on Global Best Practices in Polling Day Operations on Monday in hybrid mode, with 60 participants at Nirvachan Bhawan, Jammu and 115 joining online from across the world.

Conducted under India’s Chairmanship of International IDEA, the event forms part of thematic research led by IIIDEM and the Election Commission of India. The J&K CEO Office is preparing a comparative study of polling-day operations across 92 countries in Europe, Africa, the Americas, Asia and Oceania.

Opening the conference, Chief Electoral Officer Sanjeev Verma said the polling day demands that secrecy, equality, accessibility and integrity be delivered simultaneously under time pressure across thousands of locations.

Joint CEO Anil Salgotra presented the study’s framework, built around seven pillars of the polling-day cycle: legal framework, polling place, voting procedure, equipment and technology, inclusiveness and accessibility, security and transparency and post-poll processes of counting, custody and audit. Data was captured using a 60-point questionnaire across the 92 countries, drawing from legislation, regulations and international observation reports, creating a dataset of over 5,000 points.

Technical sessions followed on each pillar, with Salgotra presenting the key findings before the expert addresses. Speakers included Antonio Spinelli, Principal Adviser, International IDEA-IIIDEM Cooperation; Rakesh Minhas, DEO Jammu; Khatia Lachashvili, Chairperson of Gldani District Election Commission, Central Election Commission of Georgia and Professor (Brig) Neeraj Soni, IIM Jammu.

Your voice can reach the world: At JK Monitor, we firmly believe that every well-researched idea has the power to inspire change beyond geographical boundaries. We are delighted to share an encouraging message from one of our esteemed contributors, Dr. Rakesh Verma (J&K Forest Services). ā€œHis article, ā€˜When Trees Become Rights-Bearing Citizens: A Lesson from Canada for India’s Ecological Future,’ published on JK Monitor, received appreciation from La Compagnie des Papillons Bleus, the French non-profit organisation that founded and promotes the Universal Declaration of Tree Rights.ā€.  Read the message here
In loving memory of Dr. Priya Ranjan: A mentor who treated me like family
A Profound Loss: JK Monitor Mourns the Passing of Founding Chairman Dr. Priya Ranjan

We at JK Monitor are profoundly saddened by the sudden demise of our Founding Chairman, Dr. Priya Ranjan.IN LOVING MEMORY Dr Priya Ranjan

A brilliant mind who studied at Netarhat Residential School and graduated in Electrical Engineering from IIT Kharagpur before earning his PhD from the University of Maryland, Dr. Ranjan chose to return to India and dedicate his life to teaching, research and social good.

His pioneering work in networked systems, AI, robotics and biomedical applications—especially computer-vision tools for early detection of cancer and heart disease—reflected his deep belief that advanced technology must serve humanity.

For more than 15 years at JK Monitor, he remained a loyal friend, mentor and collaborator, marked by rare humility, intellectual integrity and quiet generosity. His passing leaves a void that cannot be filled. Priya, you will be deeply missed. Your life continues to remind us that knowledge finds its highest purpose in the service of others.

— Team JK Monitor

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