New Delhi/Stockholm: Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on Thursday assumed charge as Chair of the Council of Member States of the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) for 2026, marking a significant moment of global recognition for India’s election management system. The announcement came during his visit to Stockholm, where he addressed a round-table at the Swedish Institute of International Affairs on the theme “Inside India’s Democracy.”
Former Swedish Foreign Minister Ann Linde joined the CEC as a co-panelist at the event, which explored the depth, diversity and institutional strength of India’s democratic framework. On arrival, Kumar was received
by India’s Ambassador to Sweden, Anurag Bhushan, and also held discussions with International IDEA Secretary-General Dr. Kevin Casas-Zamora.
In his address, the CEC highlighted the unprecedented scale of India’s electoral exercise, with over 900 million electors spread across 28 states and 8 Union Territories. Recalling the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, he noted that more than 20,000 candidates from 743 political parties contested, supported by over 20 million election personnel — including 1 million Booth Level Officers and 5 million polling staff — making it one of the largest democratic mobilisations in human history.
India, a founding member of International IDEA, has long contributed to global electoral discourse and democratic capacity-building. Kumar said India’s experience — 18 general elections to Parliament and over 400 to state legislatures since 1947 — positions it uniquely to share both institutional expertise and the civilizational values embedded in its democratic tradition.
Outlining India’s agenda for its Chairship, Kumar pledged a tenure that is “decisive, ambitious and action-oriented.” India will steer the body’s work under the theme “Democracy for an inclusive, peaceful, resilient and sustainable world,” focusing on two pillars: Reimagining democracy for the future and strengthening independent, professional election management bodies globally.
He affirmed India’s commitment to ensuring that “every vote counts, every voice matters,” expressing confidence that global democracies can become more inclusive and resilient through collaborative engagement. Mauritius and Mexico will serve as Vice-Chairs of the Council for 2026