India’s Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to Chair International IDEA in 2026

India’s Chief Election Commissioner, Shri Gyanesh Kumar, will chair the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) for 2026, assuming office on 3 December 2025 in Stockholm, Sweden. International IDEA, with 35 member countries, strengthens democratic institutions and processes globally. This leadership highlights India’s recognition as a trusted election authority. Shri Kumar will leverage India’s experience with nearly a billion voters to promote knowledge sharing, professional networking, and electoral reforms. The Election Commission, via IIDEEM, will collaborate on workshops, research, and programs addressing misinformation, electoral violence, and voter trust worldwide.