India to Chair International IDEA – 2026 (35 member countries) — UPSC Current Affairs | November 27, 2025
India to Chair International IDEA – 2026 (35 member countries)
India is set to chair International IDEA in 2026, highlighting its role in global democracy. With an electorate of 991 million as of January 2025, India's electoral processes and governance are significant for UPSC GS2 preparation.
Overview India is poised to chair the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) in 2026 , marking a significant role in promoting democratic governance globally. As of January 22, 2025 , India's electorate stands at 991 million , underscoring its position as the world's largest democracy. Key Developments India to Chair International IDEA: In 2026 , India will assume the chair of this intergovernmental organization, which comprises 35 member countries . Electorate Size: As of January 22, 2025 , India's electorate is recorded at 991 million . Global Comparison: Among International IDEA member countries, Indonesia has the largest registered electorate with 204,421,612 voters. Registered Electors in International IDEA Member Countries The following table lists the registered electors in several International IDEA member countries: Sl. No. Country Registered Electors 1 Indonesia 204,421,612 2 Brazil 155,557,422 3 Mexico 98,214,289 4 Philippines 68,431,965 5 Germany 60,490,603 6 France 43,328,470 7 Spain 37,467,458 8 Canada 28,525,638 9 South Africa 27,782,081 10 Peru 25,287,954 11 Ghana 18,774,159 12 Australia 18,098,797 13 Chile 15,779,102 14 Netherlands 13,589,128 15 Portugal 10,850,215 16 Belgium 8,368,029 17 Dominican Republic 8,145,548 18 Tunisia 7,853,447 19 Sweden 7,775,390 20 Benin 6,769,817 21 Switzerland 5,585,212 22 Finland 4,540,437 23 Norway 4,058,875 24 Costa Rica 3,491,078 25 Panama 2,757,823 26 Uruguay 2,727,120 27 Mongolia 2,089,935 28 Namibia 1,449,569 29 Botswana 1,038,275 30 Mauritius 1,002,857 31 Estonia 966,129 32 Cabo Verde 392,899 33 Luxembourg 286,711 34 Barbados 266,330 The total registered electors for the listed countries amount to 896,164,374 . The registered electors for all 35 IIDEA Member Countries is 1,887,164,374 . UPSC Relevance This information is relevant for GS2 (Polity and Governance) , particularly concerning electoral processes, democratic governance, and international relations. Understanding the electorate size and India's role in International IDEA is crucial for Mains answers. Important Facts India's large electorate highlights the scale of its democratic exercise. Chairing International IDEA provides India with a platform to influence global democratic norms. Comparing electorate sizes across countries offers insights into varying democratic participation levels.