Bangladesh Excluded from ECI Global Conference in Delhi Amid Security Concerns

• Bangladesh was not invited to the Election Commission of India's global conference on democracy and election management due to political instability and security concerns.
• The exclusion comes weeks before Bangladesh's February 12 elections and amidst a volatile law-and-order situation.
• The India International Conference on Democracy and Election Management (IICDEM) 2026, held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, includes representatives from 70 countries, including Sri Lanka and Nepal.
• India is closely monitoring the situation in Bangladesh, having advised dependents of Mission and Post officials to return home, though missions remain operational.
• Concerns over minority safety and communal violence in Bangladesh have been raised by India, with 51 incidents reported in December 2025 alone by the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council.

Why It Matters: Bangladesh's exclusion from ECI's global conference highlights India's concerns over its political and security situation.