New Delhi, Jan 4 (NationPress) The initiative of revamping electoral rolls through the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), a significant undertaking by the Election Commission of India (ECI), faced considerable pushback within the country but garnered substantial praise in international discussions.

Several foreign publications have commended this initiative as a crucial move towards revitalizing the electoral register.

Greek City Times, an Australian-based Greek news outlet, lauded the significant effort by the electoral authority, referring to it as a manifestation of the principle of one person, one vote.

The article emphasized that this groundbreaking initiative has rejuvenated India’s democratic spirit by reaffirming the importance and dignity of each vote while also highlighting a commitment to increased civic engagement.

Importantly, the ECI successfully executed the SIR process in Bihar in advance of the Assembly elections, marking the first revision of electoral rolls in two decades. Following the Bihar elections, the ECI expanded the SIR to 12 additional states and Union Territories, provoking criticism from opposition factions.

The Greek City Times celebrated the initiative, stating that the SIR plays a vital role in upholding and fortifying the democratic framework, ensuring that every eligible citizen has an equal and genuine voice in the political arena.

“By systematically eliminating duplicate entries, deceased individuals, and ineligible voters while incorporating newly qualified citizens—particularly young voters who have just reached voting age—this exercise aims to better align the electoral rolls with current realities,” the article detailed, evaluating the motives and implications of the electoral revision.

It asserted that the SIR will enhance the credibility and legitimacy of electoral results, with multi-layered verification processes making voter registration more accessible and inclusive.

Moreover, a renewed and transparent voter list will foster public trust, and the removal of ghost entries will encourage greater engagement with the electoral process.

“This promotion of participation, especially among first-time voters and marginalized groups, directly supports the democratic principle of universal adult suffrage,” it further noted.

The SIR was described as a pivotal development in the ongoing maturation of Indian democracy, serving as “a testament to the resilience and adaptability of India’s electoral institutions,” and stating that “democracy flourishes when the electorate is recognized, verified, and heard in its entirety.”