CEC Gyanesh Kumar assumed the chairship of the Council of Member States of International IDEA on Wednesday. India, a founding member of the global democratic body, has long partnered with international institutions on strengthening electoral integrity and democratic governance. His appointment, observers noted, underscores the global recognition of India’s Election Commission as a pioneering and credible Election Management Body (EMB).
During his visit, Kumar was welcomed by India’s Ambassador to Sweden, Shri Anurag Bhushan, and later held a meeting with International IDEA Secretary-General Dr. Kevin Casas-Zamora. Discussions focused on collaborative approaches to democratic reform, capacity building, and future-oriented governance.
Highlighting the Scale of Indian Democracy
During the round-table, CEC Kumar drew attention to the sheer magnitude and diversity of India’s electoral landscape. He noted that over 900 million electors across 28 states and 8 Union Territories constitute the world’s biggest democratic voter base. Reflecting on the 2024 General Elections, he described it as a “breathtaking democratic spectacle,” involving:
- 20,000+ candidates
- 743 political parties, including 6 national and 67 state parties
- Over 20 million election personnel
- 1 million Booth Level Officers and more than 5 million polling staff
Since India’s independence in 1947, the country has conducted 18 General Elections to Parliament and over 400 elections to State Legislatures. Kumar emphasized that India’s democratic journey is not only modern but deeply rooted in civilizational wisdom, inclusivity, and pluralism.
Vision for the 2026 Chairship
Laying out his roadmap as Chair of the International IDEA Council, CEC Kumar committed to an “ambitious and action-oriented” tenure. India’s overarching theme for its leadership is:
“Democracy for an inclusive, peaceful, resilient, and sustainable world.”
Two major pillars will guide India’s stewardship:
- Reimagining Democracy for the Future preparing democratic institutions for rapid global change, digital disruption, and new governance challenges.
- Independent & Professional Election Management Bodies advocating for strong, impartial EMBs as the foundation of sustainable democracies.
CEC Kumar affirmed that India’s approach will focus on strengthening democratic participation, embracing innovation in election management, and supporting countries in developing robust institutional frameworks.
Commitment to Global Democratic Values
In his concluding remarks, CEC Kumar noted that India’s leadership will prioritise making every vote meaningful and strengthening the voices of citizens across democracies worldwide. “India will endeavour to ensure that every vote counts, every voice matters,” he stated, expressing confidence that democracies can become more inclusive and resilient with shared global commitment.
Alongside India, Mauritius and Mexico will serve as Vice Chairs of the International IDEA Council for 2026, forming a diverse leadership trio representing Asia, Africa, and the Americas.