India – General Elections 2009

The Election Commission yesterday had announced the dates for the 15th General Elections for all the states and union territories of India. It looks like the EC has taken additional precautionary measures this time to ensure free and fair elections. This is evident from the fact that it is a five phase poll this time. Uttar Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir will have five phases of polls. It was a four phase poll in 2004.

There are a few other states like Bihar, Maharashtra, West Bengal etc., which will have four phases of polls. With a large number of electoral officers and troops going to be deployed this time, the election commission is keen to look into the micro matters of affairs.

The recent history has affected the credibility of the Election Commission to a certain extent. With CEC Gopalaswami appealing to the President of India for the removal of Election Commisioner Naveen Chawla over allegations of him helping the Congress substantially during the local elections on three occasions, a large number of people will have reservations over the elections. Apart from that, Naveen Chawla is all set to replace Gopalaswami as the CEC of the Election commission. The matter should have been dealt at a different time.

Nevertheless the Election Commission with its impeccable track record still finds hope in majority of the population. With 714 million eligible voters, the election process is going to be a helluva task and May 16th is the Judgment day for the Lok Sabha elections.

The UPA and the NDA are at strugggle like never before and chances for a third front are intense with Deve Gowda announcing to float the third front very soon.

There are definitely going to be a lot of abnormalities this time as well and the Election Commission I hope will serve superior one more time.