CEC Gyanesh Kumar To Take Over As Chair Of International IDEA

On Wednesday, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar is likely to take over as Chair of the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA).

He will formally assume the role during a meeting of the organisation’s Council of Member States, scheduled to take place in Stockholm, Sweden.

As Chair, he will likely oversee all council proceedings throughout 2026.

In a statement, the Election Commission of India (ECI) stated, “As a global acknowledgement of free, fair and transparent elections held by the Election Commission of India and all the election staff of the country, CEC Gyanesh Kumar is set to assume the Chairship of International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) on December 3, 2025 at Stockholm, Sweden, on behalf of India.”

Founded in 1995, the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) supports democratic systems and practices worldwide. It currently has 35 member nations, with the United States and Japan participating as Observers.

The organisation works to build inclusive and accountable democracies, and has held observer status at the UN General Assembly since 2003.

According to the ECI, “The Chairship marks a significant milestone, reflecting global recognition of the Election Commission of India as one of the world’s most credible and innovative Election Management Bodies (EMBs).”

India’s Longstanding Role in IDEA

India, a founding member of International IDEA, has long played a role in shaping its initiatives, policy dialogue, and institutional development.

“As Chair, CEC will leverage the country’s unmatched experience of conducting the world’s largest elections to shape IIDEA’s global agenda. The collaboration will strengthen knowledge-sharing, reinforce professional networks among EMBs, and support evidence-based global electoral reforms,” the ECI noted.

India also plans to share its electoral practices with EMBs worldwide, supported by its transparent and well-documented procedures.

The ECI further added, “Joint programmes, workshops, and research collaborations between ECI’s training institute – India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management (IIIDEM) and IIDEA will further enhance global readiness to respond to challenges such as disinformation, electoral violence, and erosion of voter trust.”

IIIDEM, since its establishment, has trained election officials both in India and abroad. It has signed agreements with 28 countries and provided training to 3,169 officials representing around 142 nations.

Under Gyanesh Kumar’s leadership, International IDEA and the ECI will collaborate closely to record and circulate India’s administrative and technological innovations in election management.

The announcement follows a meeting in October between the CEC, the Election Commissioners, and an International IDEA delegation led by Secretary General Kevin Casas Zamora, along with senior officials Jessica Kehayes and Sibi George, in New Delhi.

It also comes a few months after the CEC delivered the keynote address at the Stockholm International Conference on Electoral Integrity in June.

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