India's Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar Takes Chair of International IDEA Council for 2026

New Delhi:

Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on Wednesday took over as the chair of the Council of Member States of the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) for 2026 in Stockholm.

During his acceptance speech, Kumar emphasized the magnitude of India's democratic process, pointing out that the nation encompasses more than 900 million voters across 28 states and eight Union Territories.

Speaking about the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, he described it as an impressive democratic event with over 20,000 candidates representing 743 political parties, including six national and 67 state parties participating.

The Chief Election Commissioner committed that under India's chairmanship, the council will be decisive, ambitious, and focused on action.

According to the Election Commission's statement, Kumar will guide the council's work around India's chairship theme: "Democracy for an inclusive, peaceful, resilient and sustainable world".

Kumar stated that India will strive to ensure every vote counts, every voice is heard, and democracies worldwide become more inclusive, peaceful, resilient and sustainable.

Mauritius and Mexico will serve alongside India as vice chairs of the International IDEA Council for 2026.