CEC Gyanesh Kumar to assume Chair of international poll body

Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar is all set to assume the Chair of the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) for the year 2026, the Election Commission said on Wednesday.

Kumar will take over as the chair of IIDEA on December 3 in the meeting of the council of member states of International IDEA to be held in Stockholm.

As Chair, he will be presiding over all council meetings during 2026.


International IDEA, established in 1995, is an inter-governmental organisation committed to strengthening democratic institutions and processes across the world.

With a current membership of 35 countries and the United States and Japan as observers, the organisation promotes inclusive, resilient and accountable democracies.

India, a founding member of IIDEA, has consistently contributed to the organisation's governance, democratic discourse and institutional initiatives.

So far, IIDEA has signed MoUs with 28 countries and has also trained 3,169 officials from nearly 142 countries.