NO MATTER how different political parties would interpret the massive polling in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu -- in addition to that in other States -- it is important to understand this sudden surge in voting percentage as a new phenomenon in Indian politics. West Bengal in particular recorded cumulative 93% of voting in two phases -- which was nearly 10% over and above the polling percentage in the previous election. Tamil Nadu, too, recorded a similar hike. That this has happened after Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls by the Election Commission needs to be taken into consideration, as political most observers insist. However, the time has come to interpret the positive change without a knee-jerk reaction.

 

For, Bihar that saw legislative elections after SIR did not see this kind of a surge in polling, though a marginal rise was recorded there. So, taking the rise in polling as a consequence of SIR alone may not withstand a serious scrutiny. In other words, therefore, a finer interpretation of the phenomenon is required. There is no ground for anybody to demonise the SIR. The exercise has proved rather to be a boon to the democratic process of elections since it ensures sanctified electoral rolls. The Election Commission has ensured that all fake entries in electoral rolls are eliminated through a well-defined process. There might have been some errors, all right, while conducting the process. But the overall picture that emerged following SIR is that of a positive change. Yet, the massive increase in voting percentage in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu cannot be linked to the SIR. Both the States were subjected to SIR, but the hue and cry occurred only in West Bengal -- where the Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders claim that people voted with vehemence to counter the so-called wrong done through the SIR. Tamil Nadu, too, saw a massive rise in polling, but the political parties did not fuss about the SIR at all. Thus, the seed of the spurt in voting percentage in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu will have to be looked for elsewhere and interpreted on the shoulders of other factors.

 

True, the SIR process did serve a great national cause -- of showcasing to the nation how voters’ lists were tampered with over time as part of an ugly vote-bank politics. The common voters, particularly in West Bengal, thronged the polling stations simply because they saw a fear-free polling -- thanks to all the security arrangements made by the Election Commission and the Central Government. The common voters rose to cast their votes because they were sure that the reign of terror that the TMC regularly unleashed in elections for years did not exist. Therefore, they felt all the more enthused to exercise their franchise freely and fairly. Probably, those positive vibrations also travelled to Tamil Nadu once the common voters felt that after the sanctification of electoral rolls, no fake machinations would be entertained by the poll authorities. Beyond party-centric politics, the surge in polling percentage is a welcome development in Indian democracy.

 

When the founding fathers of the Constitution of New India introduced the concept of universal adult franchise as the basis of election, their idea of was of an inclusive democracy. Unfortunately, that very idea was abused by vested interests -- which necessitated periodic revisions of voters’ lists (among other legitimate reasons). Many factors later kept contributing to reduction of general voting percentages over time. Indian democracy also saw some periods of lull when common people lost interest in casting their votes -- especially in urban areas. The recent surge in polling percentage is a welcome development which must become an integral part of our democracy. The spurt in polling percentage can also be linked to improved governance that has energised the average Indian people -- who therefore are eager to express themselves through their individual votes. This rise also should be treated as a sign of greater maturation of Indian democracy.