New Delhi/Stockholm, Dec 3 (NationPress) India has been chosen to serve as the Chair of International IDEA, the intergovernmental body dedicated to fostering sustainable democracy worldwide, for the year 2026. This significant announcement was made during a meeting of the Council of Member States in Stockholm, Sweden, where India officially took over the annual Chairship from Switzerland, which held the position in 2025.

International IDEA (International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance) announced this development via an official post on X, stating: "The Council of Member States of @Int_IDEA has elected #India as the Institute’s Chair for 2026. India assumed the annual Chairship from the 2025 Chair, Switzerland, at a meeting of the Council in Stockholm, Sweden, on 3 December 2025."

India has been a member of International IDEA since 2017. Its ascension to the Chairship for 2026 positions it to lead the oversight of the organization’s democratic support frameworks, institutional priorities, and collaborative efforts with member countries over the next year.

International IDEA is tasked with promoting democracy globally by providing comparative insights, aiding in democratic reforms, and supporting electoral processes, the rule of law, and political engagement. The organization currently encompasses 35 member countries from various regions, including democracies in Europe, Asia-Pacific, Africa, and the Americas. The Chairship rotates annually among its member states.

Taking on the Chair entails procedural yet vital responsibilities within the organization.

This role involves directing the Council's agenda, leading discussions on global democratic trends, and ensuring the successful execution of programs that align with IDEA's mission.

India's responsibilities will encompass governance oversight, collaboration with the Secretariat in Stockholm, and engagement with other democracies to tackle issues related to electoral integrity, political representation, misinformation, and democratic resilience.

While International IDEA's announcement did not detail the themes or priorities set for 2026, India's election comes as the organization expands its comparative research and capacity-building initiatives in domains such as electoral management, constitutional design, gender inclusion in politics, and technology in elections.

The Council meeting in Stockholm marked the official transition from Switzerland, which held the Chair position in 2025.

With India assuming leadership for the upcoming year, the Institute’s focus will shift to one of the world’s largest democracies as it prepares to guide and engage in the organization’s activities throughout 2026.

Importantly, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) of India, Gyanesh Kumar, on Wednesday took on the Chairship of the Council of Member States of the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance for 2026, highlighting India’s credibility as one of the world’s most experienced election management systems.

The ceremony took place in Stockholm, where CEC Kumar was welcomed by India's Ambassador to Sweden, Anurag Bhushan, and subsequently engaged in discussions with International IDEA Secretary-General Dr. Kevin Casas-Zamora.