CEC Gyanesh Kumar to speak at Stockholm meet

New Delhi

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar will deliver the keynote address at the International IDEA Stockholm Conference on Electoral Integrity starting tomorrow, according to the Election Commission of India. The conference, being held from June 10-12, is hosted by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA) in partnership with the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Swedish Election Authority, and the Australian Electoral Commission.

During his visit, Kumar interacted with the Indian diaspora in Sweden and emphasized the Election Commission’s efforts to ensure inclusive participation of Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) and Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs). He highlighted initiatives like the Online Voter Registration System and Electronic Transmission of Postal Ballot Management System (ETPBMS) to boost overseas voter engagement.

Over 100 participants from nearly 50 countries are attending the conference. The CEC is also scheduled to meet senior officials of IDEA, including Secretary General Kevin Casas-Zamora, and hold bilateral talks with counterparts from countries like the UK, France, South Africa, and Indonesia.

Kumar will also engage with key international figures, including Leena Rikkila Tamang (Asia-Pacific Director, IDEA), Namibia’s election chief Dr. Elsie T. Nghikembua, and Abdool Rahman Mohammad Irfan from Mauritius.

The conference will focus on electoral challenges such as disinformation, AI in elections, digital threats, and climate-related issues. Kumar is leading an Indian delegation that includes top officials from the Election Commission and IIIDEM, underlining India’s continued role in promoting global electoral cooperation.