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In India, election results are influenced by money power, muscle power, misinformation, freebies (like Ladki Bahin) & social polarisation (religion & caste). These evils are allowed by naïve citizens led by short sighted politicians. Female & minority representation is far below their numbers.
Our messy democracy is still a safer choice compared to other alternatives.
Many Indians fantasise a strongman like Lee Kuan Yu as their leader. However, India is not Singapore, it is too big, complex & diverse. They forget that even the authoritarian Lee enforced rule of law where every citizen is equal. He imposed harsh punishments but applied them without discrimination. He allowed the enforcement agencies to do their duties without political interference. He ensured social harmony in multiracial city state. In short, he protected & nurtured the core values of democracy in an authoritarian way! He was an enlightened leader educated in UK. Unfortunately for one Lee, there many Kim Jong Un in this world. The risk is too great.
However, Indian electoral system badly needs election reforms. The good old FPTP system was the right choice to enter into the world of democracy. It has outlived its utility. We have to learn from mature democracies (like NZ, Australia, UK, EU countries; not USA). Only then, India will produce right political leaders (less corrupt, less power-hungry) & make the elections fairer. It is another complex subject beyond the scope of this short article.
After Independence (starting with 14% literacy, 70% below poverty), for a long time, India was seen as a shining example of democracy among developing countries, in spite of many shortcomings which were removed as our democracy matured. Ballot stuffing got eliminated by introduction of EVMs. BJP emerged as an alternative to our Grand Old Party, thanks to AB Vajpayee & Advani. A healthy democracy needs alternative, two national parties. Election commissioners like Seshan played a big role in making the electoral system credible. Elections in Kashmir were rigged till eighties but have been fair thereafter. It has been a huge achievement to be proud of for Indians.
Like India, Sri Lanka too developed strong base of democracy. Bangladesh & Nepal were late to join; they are still struggling. Myanmar, Afghanistan are in terrible state but failure of Pakistan matters most. Lack of democracy has resulted in religious fundamentalism & hyper-nationalism taking over & ruining a nation with high potential.
India was top ranked in democracy among developing nations. In the last decade the trend has reversed. It has reflected in slide down of our global rank in democracy & freedoms. India has been downgraded from full democracy to partial or faulty democracy. Of course one is free to reject those rankings! (Even US rank in democracy is going down; that is also not a surprise). Strange instruments like Anonymous Electoral Bonds ruled us for 7 years before they were declared unconstitutional by court order.
There is still hope, thanks to our robust constitution, the strong base in democracy created over 70 years & federal structure. Southern states (with better rule of law) have surged ahead even with single engine! Gujarat overtook Maharashtra in per capita income in 2016-17. Gap is widening between states.
These pieces are being published as they have been received – they have not been edited/fact-checked by ThePrint