India

India and International IDEA

India is one of the founding members of IDEA.

India, a First Past The Post democracy, has worked with IDEA since its foundation in 1995 and provides funding to the overall work of the Institute.

A large part of IDEA’s funding comes from its member states “core contributions”, which finance the entire work programme of the Institute: Programme of Operations 2007-09. Each of IDEA’s member states is therefore involved and instrumental in IDEA’s work to promote democracy worldwide.

Highlights of International IDEA’s activities in relation to India:

Developing a South Asian Reconciliation Expert Network, drawing from the Indian experience in peace building and reconciliation, in partnership with the organization Women in Security, Conflict Management and Peace (WISCOMP).
Democratic Assessment, in 2004 IDEA began the State of Democracy in South Asia Assessment in partnership with the Center for Developing Societies (CSDS). Project was funded by IDEA, Ford Foundation in India and the EU (EIDHR mechanism). Report is forthcoming in late 2006.
7th Meeting of the Electoral Management Bodies held in July 2005 in New Delhi, India highlighting the role of participation and the media in electoral processes.
Reconciliation After Violent Conflict: Exploring the Terrain, a publication in partnership with WISCOMP.

Friends of International IDEA

Dr M.S. Gill, Member of the Indian Council of World Affairs; former Chief Electoral Commissioner of India, is currently a member of the IDEA Board of Directors.

Former IDEA Board members:

Dr Subhash Kashyap, former Secretary-General of the Lower House of Indian Parliament and Constitutional Advisor to the Indian Government.

Mr Mahmohan Malhoutra, Secretary-General of the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation, India and former Assistant Secretary-General of the Commonwealth and adviser to the former Prime Minister of India, Mrs Indira Gandhi.

Facts and figures about democracy in India

Using IDEA’s worldwide democracy and elections databases, learn more about: