New Delhi, Dec 1 (NationPress) The Chief Election Commissioner, Gyanesh Kumar, is poised to take on the role of Chair of the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) for the year 2026, beginning on December 3, as confirmed by the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Monday.

The transition will occur during the Council of Member States gathering of International IDEA in Stockholm, Sweden. In this capacity, he will oversee all council meetings throughout 2026.

The ECI stated, “This appointment serves as a global recognition of the free, fair, and transparent elections conducted by the Election Commission of India, as well as the dedication of the nation’s electoral staff. CEC Gyanesh Kumar will officially take over the Chairship of International IDEA on December 3, 2026, representing India in Stockholm, Sweden.”

Founded in 1995, International IDEA is an intergovernmental entity focused on enhancing democratic institutions and processes worldwide. Currently, it comprises 35 member nations, with the United States and Japan holding observer status, and is committed to fostering inclusive, resilient, and accountable democracies.

Since 2003, International IDEA has held observer status within the UN General Assembly.

“This Chairship represents a landmark achievement, showcasing the global esteem for the Election Commission of India as one of the premier Election Management Bodies (EMBs) globally,” the ECI remarked in a press release.

As a founding member of IIDEA, India has consistently played a pivotal role in the governance, democratic dialogue, and institutional initiatives of the organization.

“As Chair, CEC Gyanesh Kumar will harness India's unparalleled experience in conducting the world’s largest elections to influence IIDEA's global agenda. This collaboration will enhance knowledge-sharing, strengthen professional networks among EMBs, and support evidence-based electoral reform initiatives worldwide,” the ECI noted.

With nearly a billion voters and a well-documented electoral process, India is committed to sharing its best practices with EMBs around the globe throughout the year.

“Joint 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 preparedness to tackle issues such as misinformation, electoral violence, and diminishing voter trust,” it added.

Since its establishment, IIIDEM has trained election officials not only in India but also on an international scale. To date, IIIDEM has established MoUs with 28 countries and trained a total of 3,169 officials from approximately 142 nations.

Under the guidance of CEC Gyanesh Kumar, IIDEA and ECI are set to collaborate closely to document and share ECI’s technological advancements and administrative best practices on a global stage.

Notably, CEC Gyanesh Kumar, alongside Election Commissioners, engaged in discussions with a delegation from IDEA, led by Secretary General Kevin Casas Zamora, Chief of Staff Jessica Kehayes, and Secretary (West) Sibi George, at the ECI headquarters in New Delhi in October.

This meeting follows CEC Gyanesh Kumar's keynote address at the Stockholm International Conference on Electoral Integrity held in June.