Delhi, 26 November (H.S.):

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar is set to assume the presidency of the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) for the year 2026. He will formally take charge during the Council of Member States’ meeting scheduled to be held in Stockholm, Sweden, on December 3.

According to the Election Commission of India (ECI), as President, Kumar will chair all Council meetings throughout 2026. Established in 1995, International IDEA is an intergovernmental organization dedicated to strengthening democratic institutions and electoral processes across the world.

The organization currently comprises 35 member countries, including Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Indonesia, South Africa, and Uruguay. The United States and Japan participate as observers. International IDEA works to promote inclusive, resilient, and accountable democracies through strategic global cooperation.

India is a founding member of the International IDEA and has consistently contributed to the organization’s governance, democratic deliberations, and institutional initiatives. As Chair, Gyanesh Kumar is expected to leverage India’s extensive experience in conducting the world’s largest democratic elections to shape the organization’s global agenda.

Under his leadership, the Election Commission of India and International IDEA will collaborate closely to document and disseminate technological and administrative innovations and best practices in electoral management worldwide.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar