New Delhi, Dec. 3 -- Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar on Wednesday assumed the chairship of the council of the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) for the year 2026.

India has been elected as the new chair of council of member states of International IDEA in 2026. The chair is rotational among members of the council and remains fixed until 2033. Of the 14 founding member states, India is one of them.

According to an official statement issued by the Election Commission of India (ECI), Gyanesh Kumar assumed the chairship of International IDEA in Sweden's Stockholm. Ambassador of India to Sweden, Anurag Bhushan, was also present on the occasion.

"The Chairship marks a signific...