Marred UP elections

The first phase of union parishad (UP) elections saw widespread violence that left 10 persons killed and a thousand others wounded. Though the voter turn out, particularly women voters, was noteworthy we have strong reservation about the way the elections were held. There seems to be a pattern being set in our electoral practices where holding elections in anyway gets priority over free and fair conduct of polls. 

Besides violent clashes between rival candidates, numerous incidents of storming of polling stations, ballot stuffing and snatching of ballot boxes were reported in the media. From the beginning there had been concern over violence in the polls as many candidates were barred from filing nomination papers and deadly clashes erupted in the run-up to the elections in many places. The grim picture of the election day shows that EC paid little heed to these apprehensions. It has certainly put question on the role of the election commission. 

The EC has come out with an observation that the elections were held in a free, fair and peaceful manner except for some isolated incidents of irregularities. We wonder how a responsible authority can be so oblivious to the loss of so many lives and pervasive electoral irregularities. The ruling party also cannot shrug off its responsibilities as in most cases their party men were found flouting electoral rules. There are still five more phases of election to come. If this pattern continues the future of our electoral democracy may be at stake.