Well, in a normal day's life, one does hardly take notice of events happening in the North-Eastern (NE) states of our country. There had been many efforts from centre government to engage NE states in nation building. This perhaps has one of the major cause for the alienation of region and its people. But off late, there are special packages being started hitherto neglected area.
NE states are a region made up of multiple tribes each having their distinct identity and culture. The difficulties faced by Centre in NE are:
a) These tribes have been fighting against each other for dominance so as to utilise central funds and usurp the political power,
b) Many dominant tribes have been at arms against Centre for gaining autonomy at expense of other not so dominant ones,
c) There were several secessionist movements in NE region.
The common man in this region pays the cost of all this turmoil. No surprises that people, there, consider people from Hindi heartland or down south are outsiders or from Mainland India.
Despite these issues, in recently held assembly elections across three NE states, Tripura, Meghalaya and Nagaland. There are certain learning for the other Mainland states.
Three states Tripura, Meghalaya and Nagaland have reported voting percentage of 93%, 85% and 83% respectively. Tripura, thus in a way, setting a new National record in terms of voter turn out in an Assembly elections.
One must take into account the fact that such huge voter turn out in spite of boycott or strike called by various militant groups means lot, talks about the courage and understanding of people of NE states about the exercise of their constitutional right.
Well, one may ask Why am I going over board about this voter turn around? The answer is:
a) More the people exercise their right more representative would be the Government,
b) The politician who take advantage of lesser polling would be defeated and thus in a way putting disadvantages of the First Past the Post Electoral System to rest.
There lessons for other states of the country where voter turnout in successive elections has not been up to the expectations. Thus, resulting in election of ever so incompetent people to Assemblies and Parliament. The leaders thus elected try to colour electoral in communal and castiest ways, thus further fragmenting the society.
Moreover, there are lessons for ever so critical younger educated voters who hardly turn out to vote and then in hindsight, blame the system for repeatedly electing the competent politicians.
As said earlier, larger the voter turn out, better would it be for for polity. There are far reaching advantage of large voter turn out:
a) Will flush out the non performing leaders,
b) Leaders would become more accountable for their actions and deeds,
c) Corruption could be rooted out,
d) Makes way for common person with following in local areas to participate and actually win elections,
e) Dynastic/Personality sycophant could be rooted out.
Well, the list of advantages can go on and on.
There have been talks about implementing compulsory voting in elections for all registered voters. Though, Gujrat has taken an initiative,in fact, Assembly has passed compulsory voting in local municipal and panchayat elections legislation twice. But such compulsory voting legislation goes against the Fundamental Right of a person under Right for Freedom of Expression. So, even if implemented it would lead to unnecessary litigation. The choice of exercising the vote must always be conscience driven however state should make all possible arrangements for achieving 100% voter enrolment.
On a large note, till the time much talked about electoral reforms are implemented by our leaders (who, whether Rightist/Centrist/Leftist, in first place would never implement something which reduces their chances of wining elections), the near 100% voter turn would serve our country in a great deal.
NE States probably due to higher literacy rates have recognised the power of higher voter turn out, now its turn of the other states play their part.
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