Election Commission
The EC is gradually emerging as the most controversial institution. One might ask me why I think so. I think so because if you just recollect the latest deliberation of the CEC and two commissioners, you might get the same feeling. The CEC has said that if the dialogue fails, the election would be uncertain. One commissioner has said that they are recommending to the government some fundamental constitutional changes, and another commissioner has said that the EC would not take the responsibility if the elections are not held for any other reason, because they would remain prepared for holding the election. They are generating pessimism in public mind. They are over stepping their constitutional jurisdiction. They have successfully maintained their position above any kind of accountability so far.
Lots of hope and doubts are being generated surrounding the political dialogue. I am constrained to comment about some side issues of the dialogue sessions held so far. I think the bureaucratic culture is prominent in the arrangement of the dialogue.
Coming back to the EC, I would continue to be sceptical about the preparation of the voter listing including printing of 70 lakh pages of the voter list. The national ID card is already behind the schedule. According to an Election Commissioner, about 3.5 crore have been completed. Luckily, this is not a requirement for voting. Transparent ballot boxes would be coming from Canada. I am constrained to point out that election rigging and engineering is said to happen outside polling centres, and after the polling is over!
We hope the government would show statesmanship and ensure that the dialogue produces positive result.
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