*K N Srinivasan,
In a democracy, the poor will have more power than the rich because there are more of them and the will of the majority is supreme.
– Aristotle, the ancient Greek Philosopher
Democracy is a form of a government in which all citizens have an equal say in the decision making that affects their lives. With 71.4 crore electorate, the Republic of India is the world largest Democracy. While many countries which attained freedom along with India are still struggling to have regular popular governments, democracy in this Country has taken firm roots. Democracy is not an alien word to this soil as plenty of evidences are available to prove that it was practiced in ancient societies. The success of Democracy in this Country is done to political awareness and participation of people.
Though India has modeled its government on the British Parliamentary System, the framers of Indian Constitution have incorporated a number of good features from many other European Countries. The essential part of an ideal democracy is universal franchise that is held at regular intervals. Hence, the Election Commission of India, a Constitutional Body was established on 25th Jan, 1950 to conduct free and fair elections. The Commission which celebrated its diamond jubilee recently has added a feather in its cap by successfully so far conducting 15 general elections to Lok Sabha and 326 elections to the State legislatures. The Commission is now busy in arranging polls to the legislative assemblies of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam, West Bengal and the Union Territory of Puducherry. And over 14 crore people are eligible to exercise their democratic rights in these States. More than one lakh fifty one thousand polling booths have been setup in these States for the people to cast their votes. These staggering figures speak of the mega exercise that the EC has undertaken after the biggest event of 2009 Lok Sabha poll. The Commission is spared no effort in conducting the elections in free and fair manner.
It would be very appropriate to recall the words of the Father of our Nation who has defined the essence of Democracy as follows:
“I understand democracy as something that gives the weak the same chance as the strong” � It is the guiding principle our EC for making a level playing field for all contesting candidates. The changing political scene is this Country has made the task of the EC very onerous. There has been a multifold increase of political parties in this Country after the Nation freed itself from the foreign yoke. At the time of last general election there were 7 recognized National Parties and 40 Regional Parties. Apart from these there are about one thousand political entities registered as “registered political parties”.
According to some political scientists the failure of National parties to recognize the aspiration and expectation of the regional people is paving the way for the birth of State parties. ‘Moreover the people belonging to backward classes and oppressed groups have started asserting their rights in the political arena’, they added. These political groups have begun to gain importance in State politics in the changed atmosphere say the political observers. It is very essential to provide equal opportunities to all these parties, if democracy is to be meaningful. Hence, the election model code of conduct came into force and the Commission started implementing them vigorously from 1991 onwards. The Electronic Voting Machines which were introduced in 1982, on experimental basis are being used widely from 1998 elections. The EC has also introduced a number of measures in phased manners to make the people’s participation very effective.
There is no doubt that the Commission is doing a commendable job and we can feel proud that its effective functioning has gained world wide appreciation. Whatever may be the best efforts of the Commission, the elections will be meaningless unless the voters take part in big way in the polling. There cannot be a second opinion on this. We can feel happy that the elections are being held in peaceful atmosphere at regular intervals. But the voters’ percentage is not very satisfactory as we see from the polling figures of last elections. Though the percentage is very comparable with that of USA and South American Countries, it is at lower side when we consider it along with the West European Countries. An analysis of votes polled in the elections in the Country from 1952 to 2004, shows that lowest percentage is 45.7. The figure has touched the highest level of 64.1. We may derive satisfaction when we compare this percentage with that of global average which is at 65%. But is it enough for a successful Democratic Country? Does this figure reflect the will of majority of people? Answering these questions is not very easy. But it is very certain that the elected representative cannot be the real choice of the people unless the people exercise their Democratic right overwhelmingly.
A survey conducted by the EC showed that Chennai where the awareness level is high was among the districts with lowest voters’ turnout. “The State average is about 73%, but only about 65% of eligible voters in Chennai voted the last time” said an official. Also about 40% of the non voters were in the age group of 18-34 added the official. So it has become necessary to approach the voters especially the urban youth, to persuade them to participate in the polling. So the EC has launched a big campaign to create awareness among the voters. It has also enlisted the services of a number of departments to raise awareness levels among the households as part of the measures to ensure that all eligible persons vote. Rallies, discussions and demonstrations are also being organized to highlight the importance of exercising one’s franchise. The Commission has also released a compact disc, containing footage of film stars and opinion makers urging the voters to come in large numbers and vote conscientiously and fearlessly. Posters have also been produced and sent to all districts. A number of voluntary agencies have taken up the responsibility of creating awareness among the people.
For the first time the Commission has setup an All India Toll Free Call Center with the number 1965 for registering complaints. It is distributing voters’ slips to all enrolled voters. Earlier the political parties have been carrying out this exercise. The voters’ slips including the photographs of the voters wherever available in the photo rolls would be the only alternative document to be allowed in place of Electors’ Photo Identity Cards, according to the Commission.
There are certain exceptions in some places where the voters’ names have figured without their images. In such cases any of 13 documents of proof will be allowed. The EC has also launched a drive against use of money power in the Assembly polls. The stepped up efforts of the Commission in surveillance and search operations have led to seizure of unaccounted money and gift articles worth crores of rupees in many States. It cannot be denied that this action of the Commission has had perceptible impact in the political arena. This may pave the way for elimination of this evil practice from the election scene feels the general public. The steps taken by the Commission are to ensure free and fair elections and people to come out without any fear to cast their votes. Whatever may be the measures and efforts of the EC to conduct free, fair and transparent election it is the bounden duty of the people of this Country to extend all help to put an end to evil practices and irregularities in the elections. The EC’s task cannot be crammed with success without full support of people. It is needless to reiterate that only the high percentage of voters’ turnout on the polling day can reflect the will of the people and lead to real representative government. Hence, every voter should feel proud that he or she has exercised his or her franchise in choosing the right person without fear or favour, otherwise the nation will be at a loss. Participating in the election to register our democratic right on the polling day without minding our personal inconvenience is our duty to the Nation. Will we fulfill the expectations of the Country is the question before every voter.
So it is better to heed the warning of Rajaji, the great political thinker and statesman who said “If honest people do not enter politics then places will be taken over by scoundrels”.
* Director (Retd.) Dte. of Field Publicity, Govt. of India
