Licence to abet violent polls
- The People's Chronicle Editorial :: October 13, 2021 -

THE stakes are definitely very high for all contenders in the upcoming elections and going by the recent incidents of heightened tension and clashes among the political workers, possibility of Manipur witnessing one of the most violent elections in 2022 cannot be ruled out.

Already, there are charges and counter-charges among the parties in dispute, all intended to shift the blame and project their respective contestants as the holiest and popular choice of the masses.

As on date, at-least six people have been left wounded and many properties destroyed in poll-related violence and there might be more injuries or even casualties if the law enforcement authorities do not swing into action.

Unlike the past elections when incidents in the valley areas used to be limited to heated exchange of words in inebriated condition and scuffles generally among the most impassioned political workers, the latest trend of use of firearms indicates bloodier days ahead in case authorities delay in ordering depositing of all the licensed weapons to the respective police stations, among other preventive steps to be taken up.

Similar to the intense search operations normally carried out whenever there are high profile visits and celebration of national events, the security forces need to take all measures necessary to prevent further outbreak of violent clashes.

With almost all the politicians seeing elections as an opportunity to make investment for materialistic gains in return and wielding the power that would ultimately come handy in erasing or subduing deeds of vices, if any, from the record books, it is obvious that the political workers would be used as pawns to reach the goals of the so-called public leaders.

To these intending candidates, election narratives centred on socio-economic advancement of the ordinary citizens would be secondary if he/she comprehends that the rivals pose threat from attaining the life goal.

Driven by the lust for power, it is but natural that seasoned as well as rookie politicians would overlook the various maladies that have been afflicting the state and primarily focus on how to weaken the rivals ahead of the actual election.

Advancement of information technology too would be taken advantage of to the optimum by the candidates as could be comprehended from rampant disinformation campaigns and bids to character-assassinate the opponent rather that spurring discussion on uplift of the weaker sections of the society, checking the corroding influence of money and muscle power in elections, and all ills afflicting the state or assembly constituencies.

Regardless of the violent incidents confined to a handful of assembly constituencies so far, failure to rein in as many rogue elements as possible is certain to reduce the democratic exercise to a mockery.

The Election Commission of India has over the decades evolved itself into a fine institution and plays a critical role in the sustenance of democracy.

Its efforts to increase voter participation through a series of campaigns to enlighten the adult franchisees on their constitutional rights and eradicate all ills eroding the system have won accolades from various quarters.

However, it is unlikely that the bloody clashes in the state would be of any interest to the Commission unless similar incidents occur in the bigger mainland states.

Thus, it is imperative that the law enforcement authorities do not wait for the Commission's nod but launch immediate crack down to enable the citizens elect their chosen ones without any fear and intimidation as the random use of firearms and war cries by the hardcore supporters make it crystal clear that the 2022 polls will be more than an exercise to elect a new government.