Chief Election Commissioner of India, Shri Gyanesh Kumar, delivered an address at the Swedish Institute of International Affairs (UI) in Stockholm, where he participated in a round-table discussion titled ‘Inside India’s Democracy’. Former Swedish Foreign Minister Ms Ann Linde joined him as a co-speaker during the session. The engagement formed part of his official visit to Sweden, which concludes later today. Shri Gyanesh Kumar assumed the Chairship of the Council of Member States of the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) for the year 2026 yesterday. India’s leadership of the Council marks an important milestone, underscoring international recognition of the Election Commission of India as one of the most credible and innovative Election Management Bodies (EMBs) globally. As a founding member of International IDEA, India has consistently contributed to the organisation’s governance, democratic dialogue and institutional initiatives. On arrival in Stockholm, the CEC was received by India’s Ambassador to Sweden, Shri Anurag Bhushan. He also held discussions with International IDEA Secretary-General Dr Kevin Casas-Zamora. In his acceptance remarks, Shri Kumar highlighted the vast scale of India’s electoral process, noting that the country has more than 900 million electors across 28 states and 8 Union Territories. Reflecting on the 2024 General Elections, he pointed out that India witnessed a remarkable democratic undertaking involving more than 20,000 candidates from 743 political parties, including 6 national and 67 state parties. Over the course of the elections, more than 20 million personnel were engaged, including over one million Booth Level Officers and five million polling staff. He observed that India has conducted 18 general elections to Parliament and over 400 general elections to State Legislatures since independence in 1947. Emphasising India’s democratic heritage, he stated that the country seeks to share not only its experience as the world’s largest and most diverse democracy but also the values and principles rooted in its civilisational ethos. Looking ahead, the CEC pledged that India’s Chairship would be decisive, ambitious and action-oriented. He will guide the Council’s work under India’s overarching theme: “Democracy for inclusive, peaceful, resilient and sustainable world”. The Chairship will focus on two central pillars — Reimagining Democracy for the Future, and Independent & Professional Election Management Bodies for Sustainable Democracy. Shri Gyanesh Kumar concluded by affirming India’s commitment to ensuring that every vote counts and every voice is heard, contributing to democracies that are more inclusive, peaceful, resilient and sustainable. Alongside India, Mauritius and Mexico will serve as Vice Chairs of the International IDEA Council for 2026.