Introduction:

Democracy is a form of government in which power ultimately comes from the people who are governed, either through direct voting or through elected representatives. India is today the largest functioning democracy in the world. The “State of Democracy in the World in 2018” index report titled “Me Too? Political participation, protest and democracy” was published recently by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU). India was ranked 41, a mid-range country among flawed democracies.

Body:

India is world’s largest electoral wonder:

• Electoral process and pluralism:
  • A vibrant electoral democracy has been India’s most enduring and endearing identity ever since India adopted a great constitution that made it a democratic republic with universal adult suffrage.
  • Over the past sixty four years, the Election Commission of India has delivered sixteen elections to the LokSabha (the House of the People) and over 360 elections to State Legislative Assemblies without missing a single deadline.
• Civil liberties:
  • The practice of free and fair elections, where Indian citizen above the age of 18 years irrespective of caste, creed, religion, colour, race has the right to cast his vote.
  • An individual also has the right to contest elections by registering himself as an independent candidate or a party of his own or as a member of any political party.
• Functioning of the government:
  • Peaceful, orderly and democratic transfer of power has been the envy of the entire democratic world.
  • The outgoing prime minister (or chief minister) offering the chair to the incoming one with humility and folded hands has been a sight which many democracies only long to see.
• Political participation:
  • Elections can be truly free and fair only if these are inclusive, socially just and participative.
  • During the sixty four years of our democratic history, the voter turn-out has remained around 55-60%, definitely far less than what ECI aspires to achieve.
• Political culture:
  • Multiple parties at national, regional levels which represent the interests of the people of the nation.
  • Strong challenging nature of the opposition parties ensure that the ruling party will abide to the rule of law and work on democratic principles.

However, it is a flawed democracy:

• Illiteracy, Poverty, Gender Discrimination, Casteism, Communalism, Religious Fundamentalism, Regionalism, Corruption, and Criminalization of Politics are still plaguing Indian Democracy.
• According to the last two reports, there is a rise of “conservative religious ideologies” in the country.
• Vigilantism, violence, narrowing scope for dissent, threat to minorities and marginalised groups has affected India’s ranking.
• Important issues like horse-trading in politics, the anti-defection law, pros and cons of post-poll alliances and discretionary powers of the governor has brought to light the various challenges facing Indian democracy.
• Journalists are increasingly under attack, with murders taking place in several areas.
• As a result of limited scope for fair reportage, the Indian media is classified as only “partially free”. This is a fact which is also supported by the “Freedom in the World Report, 2018”.
• Unlike pre-poll alliances, where the voters are aware of whom they are voting for, post-poll alliances present a new set of challenges.
• Anti-Defection law does not seem to be doing much to stop MLAs from defecting.
• Dynastic politics, lack of strong opposition at the centre and Religion based politics. Ex: Government’s decision to classify Lingayats as a religious minority in Karnataka.
• The delay in disposal of cases by the courts is a concern to people.
• Misuse of data on social media sites, privacy of users and the power of social media to influence important political outcomes.

Way Forward

• Universal literacye. education for all, poverty alleviation, elimination of gender discrimination, removal of regional imbalances, administrative and judicial reforms and sustained economic, social and environmental development.
• A set of rules which would curb the menace of defection as well as the misuse of powers of the governor’s office is required.
• A defecting MLA must be disqualified from contesting or becoming a minister for at least six years.
• A distinction needs to be drawn whether a member is leaving a party for ideological differences or for money and power.
• In case of hung assembly, whether the governor must call the single largest party first, or a post-poll alliance, the process must be uniform across the country.
• The governors’ discretionary powers must be abolished and replaced with clear guidelines based on the Sarkaria Commission.
• Stricter data protection laws are required to ensure that political parties do not indulge in practices that involve undue influencing of voting behaviour.
• Voter education, electoral reforms and periodical highlighting of the performance (or non-performance) of elected representatives should be high priority.
• People must exercise their right to vote, participate in democracy and contribute towards the development of the country.
• The youth must be aware of the problems that the country is facing and choose the candidate who is most likely to bring about a change
• Democracy cannot survive without both citizens’ participation and politicians’ accountability.
• The promises of democracy can only be realised through collective action in civil society.
• The state must respect the articulation of the politics of voice and not just the politics of the vote