Headline writers come up with catchy “tags” like “dance of democracy” and “peoples’ preference”, but the Chief Election Commissioner lays much emphasis on the role of the policeman wielding the big stick to keep the poll process immaculate. Not just any policeman, but members of the central paramilitary since local forces are presumed compromised. And in an interview with a respected contemporary, Dr Nasim Zaidi was candid enough to confess that the hassles involved in mastering adequate central forces for election duties militated against compressing the poll process, or the simultaneous conduct of parliamentary and assembly elections ~ which are being increasingly demanded by a people tired of constantly being in election-mode. In fact his stress on “muscle” being a pre-requisite to the successful management of election might invite criticism of the Election Commission’s inability to inject and inspire cleanliness into the system.

Expressing satisfaction over the non-violent tenor of the recent polls, the CEC said, “Overall the elections have gone off smoothly…regarding the seven phases in UP we would also like to have had it in the shortest number of days… Our elections have become heavily dependent on central forces as people have their own reservations about the state police”. Expanding on those reservations and the complexities of deployment, he said that phased polls were inevitable, adding that “our voters have shown unprecedented enthusiasm, so they are, at least not fatigued by the length of the polls.” He said that an amendment to the Constitution was necessary for mandatory simultaneous parliamentary and assembly elections, and there was need for a political debate on the subject. However he reverted to his pet theme when he explained, “it is a huge logistical exercise in terms of mobilising the election machinery. A lot of money would be required. If you have simultaneous elections and they are dependent on forces, the elections will have to be multi-phased. I guess it may take a minimum of two months.” There can be little quarrel with the “huge logistics” argument but queries must be asked if there was no alternative to central forces: particularly since the impartiality of “crack” agencies like the CBI and NIA was no longer taken for granted. The day might not be far away when the CAPF are accused of functioning in accordance with the Centre’s diktat. What then? True there was little physical violence during the recent campaigns, but is violence only physical? What about the sinister, calculated splitting of the electorate on religious, caste and community lines? Is the EC powerless against campaigning on cemeteries and crematoria? Can polls be permitted to polarise society? Nirvachan Sadan must rise above police bandobast. Voters deserve better.