Andre Beteille, Professor Emeritus of Sociology, Delhi School of Economics, and National Research Professor, in The Telegraph, Calcutta:
The general elections in India attract attention throughout the world. If India enjoys the reputation of being the largest democracy in the world, it is due in no small measure to the fact that it is able to hold regular elections to its Parliament and its assemblies that are reasonably free and fair. When the first general elections were held in 1951-52, not everyone believed that the exercise would be successful or sustainable. But the sceptics have been confounded, and the country is getting ready for a new round of elections.
In their scope and scale, India’s general elections are without historical parallel. The sheer size and diversity of the population make the task of planning, organizing and conducting the elections a daunting exercise. The Indian electorate is not only very large and diverse, but it is also highly dispersed, and no section of the population, no matter how remote or inaccessible, can be left out of the electoral process. The Election Commission has been rightly commended for undertaking and accomplishing successfully a monumental exercise with remarkable skill, ingenuity and stamina, while ensuring that the process remains open and transparent. Some praise is due also to the voters who have braved inclement weather and threats of violence in order to exercise their franchise.
Similar Posts:
- The greatest show on earth: Indian elections, 2009
- BBC India Election Train
- The Hindu divided family
- Mood of hopelessness in Karachi
- Why the US elections are hot news in Kerala
0 Responses to “Why the Indian general elections are without historical parallel”
Leave a Reply