Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar will assume charge as Chairman of International IDEA in 2026, strengthening India’s global leadership in democratic governance. His chairship will advance electoral reforms, knowledge-sharing, and collaboration among 35 member nations.
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NEW DELHI: Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar is set to assume the prestigious position of Chairperson of the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) for the year 2026. He will officially take over the role on December 3, 2025, during the Council of Member States meeting in Stockholm, Sweden.
During his term, Mr. Kumar will preside over all Council meetings and help shape the strategic direction of the inter-governmental organisation dedicated to strengthening democracy worldwide.
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About International IDEA
Founded in 1995, International IDEA is an independent intergovernmental body committed to promoting inclusive, resilient, and accountable democracies. It currently includes 35 member countries, along with the United States and Japan as observers. The organisation supports:
- Electoral reforms & best practices
- Democratic governance
- Political participation & accountability
- Global knowledge-sharing networks
India manages the world’s largest democratic process, with nearly one billion voters. Its transparent electoral systems and inclusive voter practices are globally recognized benchmarks. As Chair of International IDEA in 2026, CEC Gyanesh Kumar will:
- Lead all Council meetings throughout the year
- Drive the organisation’s strategic agenda through India’s electoral expertise
- Promote research-backed electoral reforms worldwide
- Strengthen cooperation among Electoral Management Bodies (EMBs)
The role offers an important platform for sharing India’s electoral innovations and supporting global democratic resilience amid rising digital threats and misinformation.
India’s Global Electoral Capacity-Building Efforts
The Election Commission of India, through IIIDEM (India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management), has been training and supporting election officials around the world. Key achievements include:
- Training 3,169 officials from 142 countries
- 28 MoUs for international institutional cooperation
- Joint training programmes and research with International IDEA
Under Kumar’s leadership, these initiatives are expected to expand further.
Key Details
- Chairperson: Shri Gyanesh Kumar, Chief Election Commissioner of India
- Organisation: International IDEA
- Tenure: 2026
- Assumption of Charge: 3 December 2025, Stockholm, Sweden
- India’s Role: Founding member
- Members: 35 countries; Observers: USA, Japan
