Has poll commission been strictly neutral?

The neutrality of the Election Commission (EC) should never be allowed to be questioned. If too many queries are flying around on events that may seem to favour one party over any other it is the credibility of free and fair elections that will be at stake. Not only is it the job of the Election Commission of India to present a level playing ground for all parties, including the ruling group and the major Opposition parties, but must also be pro-active in securing that level playing field. The role of the current Chief Election Commissioner and his team has been somewhat suspect in this regard as a trail of events and allegations seem to suggest. Rulings in tricky issues, like whether official machinery was used in any way in the announcement of the anti-satellite missile launch or the frequent conduct of income tax raids on politicians and their aides are either peremptorily arrived at, or skirted altogether.

Over time, all institutions may progressively fall from high standards like the ones set by a few heading them, such as T.N. Seshan. His nickname of “Alsatian” fit his role as the watchdog of fair polls making the correct use of sweeping powers of an independent EC. The apprehension now is about the panel becoming a pet dog of ruling forces rather than standing up as a neutral umpire facilitating fair play. The objection to greater use of the voter-verified paper audit trail, or VVPAT, may be based on logistical difficulties leading to delay in the counting process. However, should the EC not have expanded the VVPAT slip verification process to cover a far greater percentage of polling segments in order to be seen as fair and to satisfy doubting minds? If the standalone electronic voting machines (EVMs) are a pride of the nation with their tamper-proof image, then it stands to reason that they would pass with flying colours any test of their functioning even in a real poll situation rather than an experiment in hacking them.

Considering the efficacy of raids every day all over the country, the panel may be doing its job in keeping a check over inducements in the form of cash, gold, liquor, narcotics, petrol coupons, and so on. These, however, only constitute proper groundwork towards fair polls.

The panel has also been served a contempt notice by the top court for not following its order on candidates declaring their criminal antecedents. Where the panel is seen to be falling short is also in its opposition to VVPAT. A common failing among political parties is their tendency to blame the EVMs when they lose and not talk about their efficiency when they win. The verifiable paper trail in, say, 10 per cent of the polling booths would help emphasise the fairness of our democracy. As Joseph Stalin cheekily said, “It’s not the people who vote that count. It’s the people who count the votes.” In a free India, we would like to believe our vote counters are beyond reproach.