Chief Election Commissioner of India, Gyanesh Kumar, held discussions with Sonam Pelden Thaye, the Election Commissioner of Bhutan, at Nirvachan Sadan in New Delhi. The meeting focused on democratic best practices. India took over the annual Chairship from Switzerland at a Council meeting in Stockholm on December 3, overseeing a Council of 35 Member States and 2 Observers as a founding Member State of International IDEA.
India’s Chairmanship of International IDEA aims to share democratic values and principles, drawing from India’s rich civilizational heritage. The theme of India’s Chairship, “Democracy for an inclusive, peaceful, resilient and sustainable world,” underscores a global and ambitious agenda. Through collaboration with the Election Commission’s India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management, projects will focus on reimagining democracy for the future and enhancing the professionalism of electoral management bodies.
The Chairship signifies India’s strong commitment to supporting and advancing democracy globally. It provides a crucial opportunity for enhancing multilateral cooperation, especially amidst challenges to international democracy support. International IDEA’s Secretary-General, Dr. Kevin Casas-Zamora, emphasized the significance of having India, the world’s largest democracy, as the Chair of the Institute, highlighting the collective responsibility in safeguarding democracy worldwide.
