Chairman of the Antigua and Barbuda Electoral Commission (ABEC), His Excellency Ambassador Arthur G. B. Thomas and Supervisor of Elections Mr. Ian S Hughes, are representing the twin island state at the India International Conference on Democracy and Election Management (IICDEM) 2026.
The conference began on January 21st and will conclude on January 23rd at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, India.
IICDEM 2026 is convened by the Election Commission of India, through the India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management (IIIDEM), in partnership with International IDEA, as part of India’s Chairship of the Council of Member States of International IDEA.
The Conference will bring together more than 40 Election Management Bodies and representatives from over 30 countries, alongside diplomats, senior election officials, electoral experts, academics, and practitioners.
The overarching theme of the Conference is “Democracy for an Inclusive, Peaceful, Resilient and Sustainable World,” reflecting a global focus on strengthening democratic institutions, electoral integrity, and public trust in rapidly evolving political and technological environments.
As part of the official programme, Chairman Thomas will participate in the thematic session on “Regulating Media Campaigns” (Best Practices and Innovation – BP 20), scheduled for Friday, January 23, 2026. His address will focus on the growing challenges posed by fast-moving information, unverified claims, opaque political advertising, and coordinated manipulation across both traditional and digital media platforms.
Drawing on comparative international experience and the regulatory framework of Antigua and Barbuda, Chairman Thomas will outline key principles for balanced media regulation, including equitable access to media, transparency in political advertising, sponsor disclosure, balanced coverage, and safeguards against hate speech and incitement. He will also address emerging risks such as misinformation, artificial amplification, and political microtargeting, and discuss practical, context-appropriate strategies for election management bodies seeking to preserve fairness, informed participation, and public confidence.
The participation of Antigua and Barbuda in IICDEM 2026 underscores the country’s continued commitment to independent and professional election management, democratic governance, and international cooperation. It also provides an important platform to share Caribbean perspectives while engaging with global best practices in election administration and democratic innovation.
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