New Delhi, Dec 2 (NationPress) CEC Gyanesh Kumar has landed in Sweden on Tuesday, kicking off his official duties prior to taking the helm at the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA), as announced by the Election Commission of India (ECI).

As per a tweet from ECI on X, "He was welcomed by Indian Ambassador Anurag Bhushan along with officials from International IDEA."

The CEC will officially assume the Chairship of IIDEA on December 3, 2025, during a meeting of the Council of Member States in Stockholm, Sweden.

In his role as Chair, he will oversee all council meetings throughout the year 2026.

Founded in 1995, International IDEA is an intergovernmental entity dedicated to enhancing democratic institutions and processes globally. Currently, it boasts a membership of 35 nations, with the United States and Japan participating as Observers, promoting inclusive, resilient, and accountable democracies.

“This Chairship signifies a notable achievement, showcasing worldwide recognition of the Election Commission of India as one of the most credible and innovative Election Management Bodies (EMBs),” the ECI remarked in a press release.

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

“In his capacity as Chair, CEC will utilize the country’s unparalleled experience in conducting the largest elections globally to influence IIDEA’s international agenda. This collaboration aims to enhance knowledge-sharing, strengthen professional networks among EMBs, and support data-driven global electoral reforms,” stated the ECI.

As the world's largest electorate with close to a billion voters and established transparent electoral processes, India is poised to share its best practices with EMBs worldwide throughout the year.

“Collaborative programs, workshops, and research partnerships between ECI's training institute - India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management (IIIDEM) and IIDEA will significantly improve global readiness to tackle challenges such as disinformation, electoral violence, and declining voter trust,” it mentioned.

Since its inception, IIIDEM has trained election officials not only domestically but also internationally. To date, IIIDEM has signed agreements with 28 countries and has trained 3,169 officials from approximately 142 nations.

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