New Delhi, Nov 26 (NationPress) Gyanesh Kumar, the Chief Election Commissioner, is poised to take on the role of Chair of the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) in 2026, as announced by the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Wednesday.

He will officially assume this position on December 3, 2025, during the meeting of the Council of Member States in Stockholm, Sweden.

In his capacity as Chair, he will oversee all council meetings throughout 2026.

Founded in 1995, the International IDEA is an intergovernmental entity dedicated to enhancing democratic institutions and processes globally. It currently has 35 member countries, with the United States and Japan participating as observers, advocating for inclusive, resilient, and accountable democracies.

“This Chairship is a remarkable achievement, showcasing global acknowledgment of the Election Commission of India as one of the most credible and innovative Election Management Bodies (EMBs) worldwide,” stated the ECI in a press release.

As a founding member of IIDEA, India has been a consistent contributor to the organization's governance, democratic dialogue, and institutional initiatives.

“In the role of Chair, the CEC will utilize India’s unparalleled experience in conducting the world’s largest elections to influence IIDEA’s global agenda. This partnership will enhance knowledge sharing, strengthen professional networks among EMBs, and foster evidence-based global electoral reforms,” the ECI further elaborated.

With nearly a billion voters and a well-structured, transparent electoral process, India aims to share its best practices with EMBs around the globe throughout the year.

“Collaborative programs, workshops, and research partnerships between the ECI’s training institute, the India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management (IIIDEM), and IIDEA will bolster global readiness to tackle challenges such as disinformation, electoral violence, and diminishing voter trust,” it added.

Since its establishment, IIIDEM has been instrumental in training election officials not just in India but also globally. To date, it has signed MoUs with 28 countries and has trained 3,169 officials from nearly 142 nations.

Under the leadership of the CEC, IIDEA and ECI will collaborate closely to document and share ECI’s technological and administrative innovations and best practices on an international scale.

Notably, the CEC, along with an Election Commissioner and a delegation from IIDEA led by Secretary General Kevin Casas Zamora, Chief of Staff Jessica Kehayes, and Secretary (West) Sibi George, met at the poll panel’s headquarters in New Delhi this past October.

This announcement follows months after the CEC delivered the keynote address at the Stockholm International Conference on Electoral Integrity in June.