NEW DELHI, April 15 -- It is no secret that democracy has been on the decline worldwide. The steady regression of global freedom for the last 19 years casts a shadow over the very essence of democracy. Around one-fifth of the world's population is affected by the erosion of their rights. Attacks on pluralism, the bedrock of peaceful coexistence amidst diverse political, religious, and ethnic identities, have become rampant.

The integrity of elections faces threats beyond manipulation, including violence and poor administration. Instances of violence sideline candidates and deter citizens from exercising their voting rights, while a crisis of confidence in electoral institutions fosters apathy, weakening the legitimacy of elected governme...