CEC Gyanesh Kumar will assume the Chairship of International IDEA in December 2025, marking global recognition of India’s electoral leadership. His tenure will enhance international collaboration, strengthen democratic institutions, and promote knowledge-sharing on electoral innovations and global democratic resilience.
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar is set to assume the Chairship of the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) on December 3, 2025, marking a major moment of global recognition for India’s electoral leadership. The Election Commission of India (ECI) announced on Monday that Kumar will take charge during the upcoming meeting of the Council of Member States scheduled to be held in Stockholm, Sweden. As Chair, he will preside over all council meetings throughout 2026, guiding the organisation’s strategic direction and strengthening global democratic cooperation.
In its official statement, the ECI emphasised that Kumar’s appointment reflects the world’s acknowledgement of India’s commitment to conducting free, fair, and transparent elections. “As a global acknowledgement of the Election Commission of India and the country’s election staff, CEC Gyanesh Kumar is set to assume the Chairship of International IDEA on December 3, 2025 at Stockholm, Sweden, on behalf of India,” the Commission said. This appointment underscores the credibility of India’s electoral systems and the consistent evolution of its democratic processes.
International IDEA, founded in 1995, is an intergovernmental organisation dedicated to strengthening democratic institutions, electoral systems, and participatory governance across the globe. With 35 member countries and observers including the United States and Japan, the organisation promotes resilience, inclusiveness, and accountability in democratic practices. Since 2003, International IDEA has also maintained observer status at the United Nations General Assembly, further enhancing its global standing.
The ECI noted that the Chairship represents a significant milestone for India, reaffirming the Election Commission’s place among the world’s most trusted and innovative Election Management Bodies (EMBs). India has been a founding member of International IDEA and has consistently contributed to its governance, electoral reform discussions, and research-based initiatives.
According to the ECI, CEC Kumar’s leadership will bring India’s extensive experience of conducting elections for nearly a billion voters to the centre of International IDEA’s global agenda. With India operating the largest electorate in the world, its lessons on transparent electoral processes, voter outreach, technological integration, and logistical planning are expected to bolster IDEA’s global knowledge-sharing framework. “The collaboration will strengthen knowledge-sharing, reinforce professional networks among EMBs, and support evidence-based global electoral reforms,” the Commission said.
India also plans to use this platform to share its best practices with election bodies worldwide. The ECI highlighted that its institutional expertise — from electronic voting systems to booth-level management — will be made available through regular programmes, international workshops, and collaborative research initiatives.
A major part of this cooperation will involve India’s premier training institution, the India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management (IIIDEM). IIIDEM has already established itself as a global centre for electoral capacity-building. Since its inception, it has trained over 3,169 election officials from nearly 142 countries and has signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with 28 nations for sustained training and knowledge exchange. Under the new Chairship, IIIDEM and International IDEA are expected to jointly design programmes addressing key challenges in today’s democratic environments.
These programmes will focus on combating disinformation, mitigating electoral violence, and addressing the erosion of voter trust — issues that have increasingly threatened democracies worldwide. Through collaborative research, leadership-building exercises, and cross-border dialogues, the partnership aims to enhance global readiness for emerging electoral challenges.
CEC Kumar’s upcoming leadership role is also rooted in ongoing engagements between IDEA and the ECI. Earlier this year, Kumar and his fellow Election Commissioners met with an IDEA delegation at the poll panel’s headquarters in New Delhi. The delegation included Secretary General Kevin Casas Zamora, Chief of Staff Jessica Kehayes, and India’s Secretary (West) Sibi George. Their discussions focused on deepening cooperation, expanding training initiatives, and documenting innovative election management practices pioneered by India.
The Chairship announcement follows Kumar’s keynote address at the Stockholm International Conference on Electoral Integrity held in June, where he highlighted India’s electoral innovations and commitment to safeguarding voter trust. His elevation now solidifies India’s role as a major contributor to global electoral discourse and democratic development.
| Also Read: Mizoram declared Ginger Capital of India by NITI Aayog |
As Gyanesh Kumar prepares to take charge in Stockholm, the ECI underscores that the appointment is not only a personal milestone for the CEC but a reflection of India’s position as a world leader in democratic governance. His tenure is expected to further strengthen India’s global contributions and reinforce International IDEA’s mission to advance strong, resilient democratic institutions around the world.
