CEC Gyanesh Kumar to assume Chair of International IDEA

• Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar is all set to assume the Chair of the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) for the year 2026.

• Kumar will take over as the chair of IIDEA on December 3 in the meeting of the council of member states of International IDEA to be held in Stockholm.

• As Chair, he will be presiding over all council meetings during 2026.

International IDEA

• International IDEA was established as an inter-governmental organisation by 14 founding Members at a conference held in Stockholm on February 27, 1995. 

• Since then, it has influenced the landscape of democracy and electoral processes across the world.

• With a current membership of 35 countries and the United States and Japan as observers, the organisation promotes inclusive, resilient and accountable democracies.

• It advances, promotes and protects sustainable democracy worldwide in consideration of human rights commitments through policy-relevant knowledge, capacity development, advocacy, and the convening of dialogues.

• International IDEA’s working modalities include a virtuous cycle of four elements: 

i) Knowledge production

ii) Capacity development

iii) Advocacy

iv) Convening of dialogues.

• The Secretariat in Stockholm is headed by a Secretary-General who is responsible to the Council of Member States.

• India, a founding member of IIDEA, has consistently contributed to the organisation's governance, democratic discourse and institutional initiatives.

• So far, IIDEA has signed MoUs with 28 countries and has also trained 3,169 officials from nearly 142 countries.