DailyPost 3028
DEMOCRATIC LUNATIC ASYLUM
That the much touted democratic elections, the biggest in the world, has no referee, is to say the least. What we understand by elections is what we have brought up with, what we have been fed about elections, and what we expect out of it? What even the best educated would understand by election lifecycle is as follows; run for the elections by government announcements, ECI announcing dates, model code of conduct, electioneering and its end, polling and announcement of results. The logistics of conducting the elections is what is worried about, with some flimsy conduct monitoring business. What a tragedy the results of the elections are only election results!
What the election parties are bothered about is reaching the goal post by hook or by crook, the poll results being the final testimony. Now that is also not final, depending on the numbers, governments can be made and unmade by political machinations, which at times even the judiciary fears to tread. Some namesake seizures of liquor or cash and a few transfers and suspensions of officials makes the election gain democratic sanctity.No action is taken even of wrong or doubtful information provided by the candidates. The declaration of assets etc are just recorded and no action is initiated even in cases where conspicuous abnormalities are seen. ECI operates as the election records department. Does the rule of law not apply to elections both in word and spirit.
None of the stakeholders ever talk of the content and quality of the elections. The present palatial battle could have put the best known monarchs to shame. The Sheesh Mahal and Raj Mahal narrative. The political class has successfully made this country into a democratic lunatic asylum. The two parties involved in this slugfest can completely hijack the democratic agenda and the ECI decides to remain a mute spectator to it. Why do we even need a model code of conduct, when conduct is a non-issue. Newer strategies of electioneering and media playing for the gallery, is taking us to a level of democratic insanity, which is bound to blow democracy to smithereens, sooner than later.
If the ECI cannot decide the narrative of the elections, it fails to deliver elected representatives of the right type due to laxity. Same insanity was on full display during the general elections, with statements made and campaigns run which had hardly anything to do with democratic elections and people for whom it is meant. Denigration of electioneering is the norm. Data and information is also no one’s baby, you can spread anything in whichever manner you feel like. Most of the elections are decided on fake or worthless narratives or both.What about the financial side of promises and guarantees, it cannot be left to the *political parties foolhardy imagination. The issues like manipulation of electoral rolls certainly does no service to the elections and the electoral process. Who can validate that we are not in democratic lunatic asylum, created deliberately with neck deep vested interests to fool the electorate and they have been successful at that.
IF DEMOCRACY AND ELECTIONS MAKE SENSE ONLY TO THE POLITICAL CLASS, IT IS CERTAINLY A SAD DAY FOR THE NATION.
Sanjay Sahay