Chief Election Commissioner of India Gyanesh Kumar has assumed the Chairship of the Council of Member States of the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance for 2026. The ceremony in Stockholm was also attended by India’s Ambassador to Sweden, Anurag Bhushan. India, a founding member of International IDEA, has long contributed to the organisation’s governance and global democratic dialogue, and the new Chairship signals broad recognition of the Election Commission of India as a trusted and innovative election management institution.

During his visit, Kumar held discussions with International IDEA Secretary-General Kevin Casas-Zamora. In his acceptance remarks, he underscored the vast scale of India’s democratic process, with more than 900 million registered electors across 28 states and eight Union Territories.

Reflecting on the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, he noted that the election saw participation from over 20,000 candidates representing 743 political parties, including six national and 67 state parties. More than 20 million personnel—among them one million Booth Level Officers and five million polling staff—were deployed to support the exercise.

He observed that India has conducted 18 general elections to Parliament and more than 400 state assembly elections since 1947, adding that the country remains committed to sharing its learnings as the world’s largest and most diverse democracy. He said this experience is rooted not just in modern practice, but in democratic principles deeply ingrained in India’s civilisational ethos.

Outlining India’s priorities for 2026, Kumar said the Chairship will be “decisive, ambitious and action oriented,” guided by the theme “Democracy for inclusive, peaceful, resilient and sustainable world.” The agenda will centre on two pillars: reimagining democracy for the future, and strengthening independent and professional election management bodies.

He concluded by affirming India’s commitment to ensuring that “every vote counts and every voice matters.” Mauritius and Mexico will serve as Vice Chairs for 2026.

News source: PIB

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