Undemocratic elections

Over 30 persons were reported to have been injured during pre-poll violence in several districts of Nagaland at Mokokchung, Wokha, Longleng and Dimapur during the past 50 days while several vehicles and some properties were also damaged in clashes between supporters of rival candidates. These incidents are not unexpected given the fact that most of the areas have a history of poll-related violence. The saying, prevention is better than cure is the only method that can either prevent such incidents. By now, the state government and especially the district authorities should have done some proper study on the recurrence of pre-poll violence in some districts. If violence is used strategically to demobilize opponents, it follows that parties should be most interested in deploying violence in areas where it matters most, such as locations where they are concerned about losing. Politicians often capitalise on the emotions and beliefs of common people that can be regional, ethnic, and religious. They become an integral part of the political process. These values and beliefs become extremely intense and often lead to violence in the struggle for political supremacy. Violence around elections is not only dangerous for those trying to vote, but has broader repercussions that contribute to instability. In fact, the clashes happen primarily because of the habitual offenders who have been given the biggest space during elections. Violence is seen as a tool to ensure that the supporters of the rival candidate are discouraged from exercising a free choice and also to affect electoral outcomes. Violence can also result in harming democracy itself. Particularly violent elections have the potential to scare voters away from democracy and facilitate proxy voting. If pre-poll violence is not effectively prevented and discouraged by stringent punishments, it will only lead to loss of confidence in the sanctity democracy when elections and violence become synonymous. Electoral violence is often treated by the popular press as resulting from age-old ethnic conflicts or high emotions at election time. Habitual offenders are the main perpetrators of poll-related violence and it refers to any group whose main goal is to obtain profits and money through illegal activities. Such groups can perpetuate their viability either by threatening or using violence, by exploiting the thin dividing line between minor and major offence. Those who are prone to poll violence are mostly youths coming from dysfunctional families or economically deprived sections who have been enticed to sell their services for poll duties as part of youth brigades. By selling their services for ‘election duty’ anti-social elements have also made use of threat or force during elections as an acceptable means to fight democratic elections. The issue of political violence has once again come to the fore in the wake of the recent incidents and these also seek urgent attention of the public besides the government. The fact that till late, gangs of youth moving around in vehicles across the constituencies, is nothing but a provocative action especially in sensitive areas. The state administration and police have to gear up and sanitise sensitive areas and enforce the rule of law. It is seen that when the law enforcement agencies attempt to wear the gloves, it has only aggravated the situation. No effort should be spared to enforce public peace and security and offenders should be dealt with stringently.