New Delhi [India], August 10 (ANI): Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and Chairman of the Council of Member States of International IDEA, Gyanesh Kumar, held bilateral meetings on Monday at Nirvachan Sadan with the Ambassador of Angola to India, Clemente Camenha, and the Ambassador of Suriname to India, Hanisha Jairam.The discussions focused on strengthening democratic cooperation and expanding mutual collaboration in election management and the training of electoral personnel, aligning with the vision established at the International Conference on Democracy and Election Management (IICDEM) 2026.Taking to X, the Election Commission of India (ECI) highlighted the engagements, noting that both diplomatic missions reaffirmed their commitment to working closely with India on electoral training and administrative frameworks.”Chief Election Commissioner and Chairman of the Council of Member States of International IDEA, Shri Gyanesh Kumar, today met His Excellency Mr Clemente Camenha, Ambassador of Angola to India, at Nirvachan Sadan, New Delhi.”https://x.com/ECISVEEP/status/2086781302158831871The ECI added, “Both sides reaffirmed their shared commitment to strengthening democratic cooperation, in line with the vision set out at IICDEM 2026. They also agreed to work closely together to deepen collaboration on election management and the training of election staff.”In another post on X, the Election Commission of India said, “Chief Election Commissioner and Chairman of the Council of Member States of International IDEA, Shri Gyanesh Kumar, today met Her Excellency Ms Hanisha Jairam, Ambassador of the Republic of Suriname to India at Nirvachan Sadan, New Delhi.”Chief Election Commissioner and Chairman of the Council of Member States of International IDEA, Shri Gyanesh Kumar, today met Her Excellency Ms. Hanisha Jairam Ambassador of Republic of Suriname to India at Nirvachan Sadan, New Delhi.Both sides reaffirmed their shared… pic.twitter.com/g07sbGOPMp— Election Commission of India (@ECISVEEP) August 10, 2026>The ECI added, “Both sides reaffirmed their shared commitment to strengthening democratic cooperation, in line with the vision set out at IICDEM 2026. They also agreed to work closely together to deepen collaboration on election management and the training of election staff.”The talks draw upon the momentum of the International Conference on Democracy and Election Management (IICDEM) 2026, held earlier this year from January 21 to 23. During the conference’s closing session, CEC Gyanesh Kumar read out the ‘Delhi Declaration 2026’, which was unanimously adopted by 42 global Election Management Bodies (EMBs).The declaration outlines a collaborative roadmap structured around five key pillars: Purity of Electoral Rolls; Conduct of Elections; Research and Publications; Use of Technology and Training and Capacity Building.Participating EMBs agreed to review their progress periodically and have proposed their next major gathering from December 3 to 5, 2026, at the India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management (IIIDEM) in New Delhi.India assumed the prestigious role as chair of the Council of Member States of International IDEA for 2026. The rotational chairship remains fixed until 2033, with India standing as one of the organisation’s 14 founding member states.Official statements from the ECI noted that Gyanesh Kumar formally assumed the chairship in Stockholm, Sweden, in the presence of India’s Ambassador to Sweden, Anurag Bhushan. The ECI described the milestone as a reflection of global recognition for India’s status as one of the world’s most credible and innovative election management institutions.”The Chairship marks a significant milestone, reflecting global recognition of the Election Commission of India as one of the world’s most credible and innovative Election Management Bodies (EMBs). India, a founding member of International IDEA, has consistently contributed to the organisation’s governance, democratic discourse and institutional initiatives,” ECI said. (ANI)(This content is sourced from a syndicated feed and is published as received. The Tribune assumes no responsibility or liability for its accuracy, completeness, or content.)