New Delhi, Nov 26 (UNI) Chief Election Commissioner of India, Gyanesh Kumar, is set to assume the prestigious Chairship of the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) for the year 2026, the poll panel said in a release on Wednesday.
Kumar’s appointment will be formalised at the Council of Member States meeting in Stockholm, Sweden, where he will preside over all council meetings throughout the year, the release said.
Established in 1995, International IDEA is a leading inter-governmental organisation dedicated to strengthening democratic institutions worldwide. With 35 member countries and the United States and Japan as observers, the institute promotes inclusive, resilient and accountable democracies globally.
India, a founding member of International IDEA, has been recognised for its credible and innovative election management practices. The Chairship reflects global acknowledgement of the Election Commission of India (ECI) as one of the world’s most respected Election Management Bodies (EMBs).
As Chair, CEC Gyanesh Kumar will leverage India’s unparalleled experience of conducting the world’s largest elections, shaping International IDEA’s agenda to promote knowledge-sharing and professional collaboration among EMBs. This collaboration aims to drive evidence-based electoral reforms and address emerging challenges such as disinformation, electoral violence, and declining voter trust.
India’s Election Commission, through its training wing — the India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management (IIIDEM) — has been instrumental in training over 3,100 election officials from nearly 142 countries. IIIDEM has signed Memorandums of Understanding with 28 countries, further cementing India’s role as a global leader in electoral capacity building.
Under Kumar’s leadership, ECI and International IDEA will work closely to document and share India’s technological innovations and administrative best practices with election bodies worldwide, reinforcing India’s commitment to strengthening democracy globally.
