Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], August 25 : Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on Monday said conducting the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls required both the "guts" of the Election Commission and strong cooperation from voters, which he said has helped the Election Commission of India (ECI) earn recognition from other countries.
Speaking at the second regional conference on "Electoral Literacy Clubs (ELC 2.0) and ECINET", organised by the ECI in Lucknow, Kumar said, "Conducting SIR requires not only guts on the part of the Election Commission but also the cooperation of the voters. And we received that cooperation from voters in abundance."
He added, "That is precisely why, today, others look to the Election Commission of India, learning from it and praising it, wishing they could or resolving that they will do the same in their own countries."
Addressing the participants comprising students and teachers from schools and colleges across Uttar Pradesh, Gyanesh Kumar said the ELCs are imperative to carry forth the knowledge and the understanding of electoral processes and enrich democracy.
He stated that elections in India are held strictly as per the Constitution of India, law and instructions issued by ECI and "conducted transparently under the concurrent audit of political parties, candidates or their representatives at all stages". He underlined the need for students and young electors to familiarise students and young electors with India's electoral system, democratic values, electoral registration, polling and counting processes, and the role and functioning of the Election Commission of India.
Emphasising the importance of engaging young citizens, Gyanesh Kumar stated that their trust and informed participation in the electoral process is an investment in the future of democracy.
Speaking to the reporters, Kumar said the election system is marked by transparency and noted that voters of Lucknow and Uttar Pradesh are very aware.
"After coming here, I feel that voters of Lucknow and Uttar Pradesh are very aware," Gyanesh Kumar said on his visit to Lucknow.
He also recalled his association with the city. "I received my education here before moving on to the IIT for higher studies. After a long time, I have returned to Lucknow to convey a message to the voters of Uttar Pradesh," he said.