Election and Democracy: Lessons to be learnt from Mauritius :: Part 2
- A report on the backdrop of vexatious election of Manipur, India -

L Muhindro Singh *

People going to the poll on Election Day in Imphal :: January 28 2012 :: Pix - Bullu Raj

Factor contributing free and fair election in Mauritius

* Good governance / incumbency factor

Voice of repentance against the government is very minimal and coming up mostly from the opposition leader of the national assembly who made positive criticism to alert the ruling party. The main issue of the nation is to be water problem, electoral reform which also includes women reservation so as to enable them more participation in the decision making bodies. Differences are not appeared in between hill and valley / urban and rural that almost all the road and other facilities are provided the same. All the roads are connected with national bus transport.

One of the remarkable appearances of the government is "Practicability" that all the laws and regulations can be implemented up to the expectation. For instance, free education up to 16 years (Hr. Secondary), free transport to all the students, free health care to all the citizens, old age pension and housing for poor, and other many more welfare programmes are implementing very effectively. Besides government respect all the fundamental rights. Action taken against the people who contravened law of the land is very fast.

For the matter of corruption there is also Independent Committee Against Corruption (ICAC) that looks into all the cases of corruption, so the corruption rate is also relatively less, as per the report of the worldwide corruption perception ranking 2011 published by Transparency International, Mauritius is in the 46 rank while India got 95.

In Manipur, both the central and state government have no sincere that every issue and matter is carrying forward for another issue and ultimately politicised it. This is one of the most important factors to ignore the existing laws and failure of implementation of various schemes for the welfare of the people. Almost all the government departments have issues of abnormal activities like, ignorance of duty, monopoly, favouritism, corruption… is it not the in-activism of governance. It is also seemingly influenced to general populace to develop a stereotype mindset to indulge in malpractices. Recent inauguration of many central funded projects like City Convention Centre will still remain to complete and it will take more time to have its utility.

* Rule of law

All the people respect law of the land very strictly that most of them have try to protect public order which is also result of good governance in the sense that government has also care of their activities that whether it is against the fundamental rights and freedom of the citizens. As such police forces usually have not carried armed weapon, instead they are engage in the traffic control. Yes, at times, the cases of theft and other minor illicit cases are reported in the newspapers but no report of killing by state and non-state or terrorist is found.

What we have experiencing in the Manipur is very negative that if the government orders band something someone will search the way to go through backdoor, as such the order seems to be only namesake. Besides the government has no cared of its subsequence effect whether it is against the will of the people or against the basic rights. Very interestingly most of the people do what they wish that they do not bother of others right or respect. You see the HSLC exam scandal, frequent band and blockade, overestimated power of different organisations.

It is vis-versa, if the government is weak or failed the civil organisation will strong and even encroach as law enforcing agency. It is seemingly normal process as the civil organisation sanctions reward to the people even settles the guilty. See the matter of present state election; the election commission of India have tried to bring maximum free and fair election. Having aware of the conflict situation and the previous election records of malpractices the commission has taken up various novel strategies but all the stakeholders (party, candidates and electorates) do not cooperate even though they are talking about democratic election.

Most of the political elites and candidates had busy to search the loopholes of the election code of conduct and also supported by maximum electorates that is proved by cash for vote that doesn't claim all the electorates. Violation of election code of conduct and cash for vote is taking in to consider normal electoral phenomenon in India. Even the Minster of Law (Khursheed) acted against the recommendation of ECI that witnessed the ignorance of the law. Very remarkably, it is known to all that the mentality of the candidates supported by Nagaland's regional party who speak senseless voices alleging one and all even against the efforts of ECI.

* Mentality and civic sense

All the citizens wanted to live in mutual coordination and understanding that shows by their normal practices. They will not throw any waste on the roadside or other that it will put down Dustbin placing in every corner of the road and public places. They care of environmental pollution that no one can see smoke from such huge amount of vehicles they are using. All communities live together in every place where they prefer or owned and support the inter-caste marriage.

Though the island has inhabited many ethnic groups none of them committed any act that may lead or heart the other sentiment, community or individual. None of them criticised other religions and respect each other and try to strengthen their religion with the financial assistance of government. Most significantly, they maintain discipline which is one of the core elements to consolidate democratic culture that they will follow what the elders say.

In Manipur most of the leaders whether in the public and private has very less commitment that they do on the wrong way that has more self-centre interest which shows the mental standard. One or another conflict will come up when any task carried out by using in the interest of people. For instance the gimmicks of Manipur-Japan friendly football match, one way traffic system of Paona Bazar where powered groups will encroach the binding while they advise to follow the public; HSLC exam scenario etc.

It is indeed very confused that even who talk for the better of the society turns immediately and involved in unexpected allegations without considering human integrity and dignity. Plurality and multifaceted issues is becoming a common phenomenon in various movements, perhaps there might be influencing factor from the politicians. Confidence to one and another is seemingly lost as such unethical and immoral practices are very often.

Yes socio political background is so difference that no issues, conflict and movement is there in Mauritius whilst umpteenth issues and movements are normal procedure in Manipur as the government is irresponsible. In democratic states, parties everywhere have the potential to be effective and accountable, but they face enormous challenges of the political context and the conflict environment in which they function. But it is late to change their mindset to pay attention for consolidation of democratic government.

For the better society and good governance, free and fair election will possible only when the political elites respect political morality, that they have to draw attention to renovate people / electorate's mindset to feel free to vote whatever they like without any influence on the basis of good governance. Let's try once, to produce a government who elected by democratic election that political parties have responsibility to do.

By the way all the electorates are also appeal not to expect influential materials from the party or candidates. Such mental change can be activated by the political party only that all the civil societies and other illegal organisations cannot bifurcate from the pool of electoral politics which is experiencing today itself, it is quite natural.

This paper is specially developed when the writer joined Rodrigues Regional Assembly Elections, Mauritius recently held on 5 February 2012 just after a week of Manipur Legislative Assembly Elections 28 January 2012. As the writer found a drastic contrast, it seems to compel to see the way for consolidation of democracy, whether it is possible in Manipur. The writer is now attaching in the University of Mauritius as nominated by UGC, New Delhi to make a comparative study on contemporary electoral trends of India and Mauritius.

Concluded.....