New Delhi, Dec. 5 -- India will lead the Council of Member States of the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) for the year 2026 after Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar formally assumed the chairship in Stockholm on Wednesday.

As chair, Kumar will steer the council's work with a focus on the theme "Democracy for an inclusive, peaceful, resilient and sustainable world". Mauritius and Mexico will serve as vice chairs for the year.

Kumar said the chairship will be "decisive, ambitious and action oriented", with India set to guide the council's work around two pillars - reimagining democracy for the future, and independent & professional election management bodies for sustainable d...