New Delhi/Stockholm, Dec 4 (NationPress) Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar conducted a roundtable discussion on “Inside India’s Democracy” on Thursday, just a day after he took over as the Chair of the Council of Member States of the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) for the year 2026. This event was held at the Swedish Institute of International Affairs (UI) in Stockholm, as confirmed by an official source.

Former Foreign Minister of Sweden Ann Linde also participated as a speaker during the roundtable.

The event on Wednesday, marking CEC Kumar's assumption of the Chair, signifies a notable achievement, showcasing the global acknowledgment of the Election Commission of India (ECI) as one of the premier and most innovative Election Management Bodies (EMBs) in the world.

The Election Commission stated that this Chairmanship reflects the organization's trust in India, a founding member of International IDEA that has consistently contributed to its governance, democratic discourse, and institutional initiatives.

During his acceptance speech, CEC Kumar underscored the vastness of India's democratic process, revealing that the nation has over 900 million voters spread across 28 states and eight Union Territories.

Looking ahead to the 2024 General Elections, he remarked on the “breathtaking democratic spectacle” where over 20,000 candidates from 743 political parties, including six national and 67 state parties, participated. More than 20 million election personnel, comprising over one million Booth Level Officers and around five million polling staff, were involved in this grand event.

He also noted that India has conducted 18 general elections for Parliament and over 400 general elections for State Legislatures since gaining independence in 1947, emphasizing India's intent to share insights from the largest, most diverse, and inclusive modern democracy alongside the democratic values that stem from its civilizational legacy.

According to an official statement, CEC Kumar assured that “India’s Chairmanship will be decisive, ambitious, and action-oriented.”

“As Chair, I will guide the Council's efforts under the overarching theme for the Chairmanship — ‘Democracy for an inclusive, peaceful, resilient, and sustainable world’, focusing on two main pillars: Reimagining Democracy for the Future and Independent & Professional Election Management Bodies for Sustainable Democracy,” the statement elaborated.

The CEC expressed pride in being elected Chair of the Council of Member States of International IDEA, an intergovernmental body comprising democratic nations.

“Every Indian feels privileged to see India hold this esteemed position,” he articulated during his acceptance speech, highlighting that it reflects the global democratic community’s confidence in India’s electoral institutions.

On behalf of all Indian citizens, CEC Gyanesh Kumar extended greetings to representatives from member states and officially accepted the Chairmanship.

He affirmed that India’s democratic values, administrative experience, and commitment to transparency would steer its role throughout the term.

“As Chair, I promise that during my tenure, with collaboration among all democratic nations, we will work together to bolster transparency in democracy and democratic processes globally,” he stated, reiterating that India will strive to guarantee that “every vote counts” and “every voice matters,” enabling democracies worldwide to become more inclusive, peaceful, resilient, and sustainable.

He also highlighted India’s historic and civilizational ties to democratic practices, describing the nation as “the mother of democracy” and today the world’s largest democracy.

CEC Gyanesh Kumar concluded his address with “Jai Hind, Jai Bharat,” signaling India’s readiness to lead the Council's activities in 2026.

International IDEA announced India’s election as Chair earlier in the week, following a Council meeting in Stockholm where India took over from Switzerland. Alongside India, Mauritius and Mexico will assume the role of Vice Chairs for the International IDEA Council in 2026.

India has been part of International IDEA since 2017. Its elevation to the Chair for 2026 positions it at the forefront of managing the organization’s democratic assistance frameworks, institutional priorities, and collaborative efforts with member states in the upcoming year.

International IDEA is tasked with promoting democracy globally by offering comparative knowledge, assisting in democratic reforms, and supporting electoral processes, the rule of law, and political participation.

The organization currently comprises 35 member nations from diverse regions, including democracies in Europe, Asia-Pacific, Africa, and the Americas. The Chairmanship rotates annually among member states.