India to Chair International IDEA in 2026

On 3rd December 2025, India’s Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) will formally assume the Chairship of the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) for the year 2026 during the Council of Member States meeting in Stockholm, Sweden.

Gyanesh Kumar’s appointment as Chair reflects global recognition of India’s leadership and credibility in election management, positioning the Election Commission of India (ECI) at the forefront of international democratic cooperation.
International IDEA, founded in 1995 as an inter-governmental organisation dedicated to strengthening democracy worldwide, currently consists of 35-member states with the United States and Japan serving as observers.
India, as a founding member of International IDEA, has consistently contributed to the organisation’s governance, initiatives, and policy development since its inception nearly three decades ago.
As Chair, the CEC will preside over all Council meetings throughout 2026 and is expected to leverage India’s extensive electoral experience in managing one of the largest democratic electorates in the world with nearly one billion voters.