Archive · 1 Dec 2025
India to Chair International IDEA in 2026
India has been invited to lead the International IDEA, a group of 37 democratic countries, for the first time in 2026.
The Chief Election Commissioner, Gyanesh Kumar, will take on this role on December 3, 2026, in Stockholm, Sweden.
This is a big honor for India, as it has the largest number of registered voters in the world, with 991 million people.
The International IDEA helps countries run fair and transparent elections.
India has been a part of this group since it started in 1995 and has helped with training and research.
This new role will allow India to share its knowledge and help other countries improve their election processes.
India will chair the International IDEA for the first time in 2026, with CEC Gyanesh Kumar assuming the role on December 3, 2026, in Stockholm, Sweden.
India has the largest electorate among International IDEA members, with 991 million registered electors, accounting for 44.5% of the total electorate.
International IDEA is an inter-governmental organization established in 1995, with 35 member countries and 2 observer countries (US and Japan).
India is a founding member of International IDEA and has actively participated in governance, electoral research, and capacity-building initiatives.
The Chairship will allow India to leverage its extensive experience in electoral administration to strengthen Election Management Bodies worldwide.
- Who
- Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and India
- What
- India to chair the International IDEA for the first time in 2026
- When
- December 3, 2026
- Where
- Stockholm, Sweden
- Why
- To leverage India's extensive experience in electoral administration and strengthen Election Management Bodies worldwide
- Organization
- International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA)
- Chairship Assumption Date
- December 3, 2026
- Location
- Stockholm, Sweden
- India's Electorate
- 991 million registered electors (44.5% of total)
- Total Electorate
- 2,225,549,481 (222.5 crore)
- Member Countries
- 35 member countries, 2 observer countries (US and Japan)
- India's Role
- Founding member and active participant in governance and electoral research