Chief Election Commissioner of India Gyanesh Kumar is set to take charge as Chairperson of the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) for 2026. The appointment will be formalised at the Council of Member States meeting in Stockholm, Sweden, where Kumar will preside over all council sessions throughout the year, the Election Commission of India announced on Wednesday.
Founded in 1995, International IDEA is a renowned intergovernmental organisation dedicated to strengthening democratic institutions worldwide. It comprises 35 member countries, with the United States and Japan as observers, and focuses on promoting inclusive, resilient, and accountable democracies.
India, a founding member of International IDEA, has earned global recognition for its credible and innovative election management practices. Kumar’s appointment as chairperson reflects the international community’s acknowledgment of the Election Commission of India as one of the world’s most respected Election Management Bodies (EMBs).
In his new role, Kumar will harness India’s unparalleled expertise in conducting the world’s largest elections to shape International IDEA’s agenda. His leadership will facilitate greater knowledge-sharing and professional collaboration among EMBs, driving evidence-based electoral reforms and addressing contemporary challenges like disinformation, election violence, and voter confidence erosion.
The Election Commission, through its training institute—the India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management (IIIDEM)—has trained over 3,100 election officials from nearly 142 countries and has signed MoUs with 28 nations, solidifying India’s position as a global leader in electoral capacity building.
Under Kumar’s stewardship, the ECI and International IDEA will intensify efforts to document and disseminate India’s technological innovations and best administrative practices to election authorities worldwide, reinforcing India’s commitment to advancing democracy on the global stage.