Dent in the Credibility of the Election Commission

The Global State of Democracy 2021 report released by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA) delivered a shocking update for India, labelling its democracy as “backsliding.” The report assesses world democracies on the basis of independence and autonomy of their electoral management bodies, and their contribution in conducting free and fair elections.

With the state elections drawing to a close, the Election Commission of India finds itself drowned in political controversies and media banter. This sad state of affairs is the direct result of public distrust on the Election Commission, which stems from the observation of differential treatment by the commission towards the undemocratic tactics of different political parties. When a body designated to the cause of free and fair elections is itself plagued with an ambiguous appointment procedure, it is bound to succumb to distrust and criticism.