TODAY -

E-Pao! Education - Perspective analysis of election in democratic polity

Perspective analysis of election in democratic polity
- What is Election? -
Part 1

By: Ngamkhohao Haokip *



Thematic analysis of electoral system in a democracy would require at least a discussion on the existential circumstances of the State and the purposes of Government as advocated by different political scientists. While dealing with State and Government, a sort of scholastic ambiences of light would be directed to cast upon the election system.

The light so cast is anticipated to take us to two discrete sides of whether our system could really address problems related to elections or take into account the sociological aspect of our societies and bring out novel approaches; and if our existing rules and norms meet electioneering in India, especially in Manipur.

Election is the paid culmination of the existence of a particular society in the form of 'state' that is governed, ruled, and managed by some individuals who are empowered by the electorates as 'Government'.

It is this body of individuals called 'Government' that enforce common rules that are acceptable to the society as a mechanism of dispensing the best interest of all.

However, how far are our Government with its existing political 'systems', especially, the electoral system can deliver the desires of the masses is a quest that every citizens of a democratic state should try to answer for ourselves. A.C. Kapur, in his book Principles of Political Science puts this objective of Government in this way: "It is obviously a quest for a 'just' and happy life for men assembled together in a territo-rially integrated society (read 'state') and as such, the best form of relationship (is) manifested in their governance that can ensure such a life". This is what we need to analyse.

This idea of changing a system is best expressed by Dorothy Pickles in his book Introduction to Politics, when he says: "Each generation" as it becomes adult is faced with the responsibility of deciding whether to accept the rules made or accepted by earlier generations, or whether to challenge their validity and try to replace them by others".

Considering these facts let us look into the past when justices were denied; equality was a dream and when the ignorant Indians were dominated by gagging their voices.

India's political antecedents: India's past political structures or systems were simply an alloy of rules and systems merely framed to meet the then exigencies of -
(1) colonial ambition;
(2) social ills of the times;
(3) divide and rule idea; and
(4) the iron will to prolong the British hegemony.

This unfriendly British had left unsuitable system that we cannot just do away with.

The Hindu social structures and the Muslim religious concept were indeed another important previous circumstances that have also contributed factors for deciding the foundation of our political system that we usurp today. One colossal mistake in the making of the constitution was that the social structure's of the tribal societies in the north-eastern part of India were not considered thereby leaving a great vacuum of political blunder.

Their forms, law, customs, institutions, modes of life, their thought and actions, economic standard and educational credence directly or indirectly influence their participation in the electoral system. Leaving this important aspect of the tribal, especially of Manipur, political justice system among the tribes is hampered tremendously.

The members of the constituent assembly fram-ing our constitution were more or less the brainchild and pensioners of unjust rule with its undeserved systems. They embodied in them tinges of such calloused nature that were seemingly not missed in incorporating them into the laws of the land, as we experience today.

Although their contributions toward the making of the laws are immense, the laws of elections they have placed for use now are far from justifying our goal for equality and justice that we have been struggling until date.

It is also a well-known fact that the constituent assembly simply used comparative method in deciding the shape and nature of the constitution.

Jawaharlal Nehru once said: "We choose this system of parliamentary democracy deliberately; we choose it not only because, to some extend, we had always thought of those lines previously, but because we thought it was in keeping with our own old traditions also naturally the old traditions, not as they were, but adjusted to the new conditions and new surroundings, we choose it also - let us give credit where credit is due - because we approved of its functioning in other countries, more especially the United Kingdom".

This shall remain as a characteristic of developing India. Part XV of our Constitution deals with election.

Those initially enshrined five Articles - 324 to 328 are the legacy of Paramountcy of idea of subjugating the citizens with power of 'superintendent', 'direction' and 'control' etc leaving no power and rights to the electorates in the present context of Indian electioneering.

Read Part 1 | Read Part 2 | Read Part 3 | Read Part 4 |


Ngamkhohao Haokip wrote this article for The Sangai Express. This article was webcasted on December 07th, 2006.


* Comments posted by users in this discussion thread and other parts of this site are opinions of the individuals posting them (whose user ID is displayed alongside) and not the views of e-pao.net. We strongly recommend that users exercise responsibility, sensitivity and caution over language while writing your opinions which will be seen and read by other users. Please read a complete Guideline on using comments on this website.




LATEST IN E-PAO.NET
  • Yaoshang Mei Loukhatpa #3 : Gallery
  • Violence in Manipur 2023-2026 : Timeline
  • Ibempishak, Moingpha, Thansomi : Eming
  • Showcasing Manipur @Switzerland : Gallery
  • Criticism Without an Alternative is Not Enough
  • Arambam Somorendra: A Visionary
  • A Little Bird and My Net :: Poem
  • Meritorious Award distributed at Singjamei
  • 'Experience LPU- Day of Lifetime Inspiration'
  • Increasingly seen as being partisan
  • The Lament of a Silent Tree
  • Behavior, Psychology & Society
  • 1st Peaceful Coexistence Award 2026
  • Snakebite: A Public Health Emergency
  • Events- Kuki militant & Naga village volunteer
  • A spiral of violence and turmoil :: Poem
  • HSLC Compartmental Exam 2026
  • World Environment @Lamdeng #1 : Gallery
  • India Isn't Becoming a Superpower
  • World Environment Day @ MU
  • World Environment Day @ Moirang College
  • CM @ World Environment Day
  • World Environment Day - For nature
  • Where there is no vision, the people perish
  • Mosquitoes returning in March
  • Fractured Forever :: Poem
  • Waking up to yet another killings
  • Ahingee Laan : Dance-drama #2 : Gallery
  • Tree Plantation @Taobungkhok : Gallery
  • Violation of SoO can lead to termination
  • Application of AI in livestock production
  • Mass Cleanliness Drive @MU
  • Anupam Andhar: Beauty of darkness
  • Feeling the heat? It might be ageing you faster
  • Missing since May 13, 2026
  • Abdul Hafiz graveyard at Imphal War Cemetery
  • Homecoming : Exhibition at Washington DC
  • Why NSCN-IM & ZUF must preserve Naga
  • The Funeral of Kindness :: Poem
  • Dignified menstruation for gender equality
  • World Environment Day 2026
  • Welcomes New DGP
  • Coming together of the indigenes
  • Martyrs' Day @ Cheiraoching #3 : Gallery
  • Showcasing product from IDPs at Switzerland
  • The abduction & 'murder' of 6 Naga civilians
  • Why keep returning to Regional Politics ?
  • One missed coffee & a full existential crisis
  • Trekking, Camping banned in Nongmaiching
  • Avocados Cultivation Programme at Pangin
  • Guwahati Open PWR 200 concluded
  • Focus on flip flop stand of the UNC
  • The King Who Came from the Sky: Pakhangpa
  • SoO : An assault on native people of Manipur
  • Manipur - Example of Underdevelopment
  • Cries in Agony :: Poem
  • 'CCpur & Kpi Road no longer safe'
  • Home Ground: Meghalaya Future of Tourism
  • Burnout healthcare staff & patient safety
  • Fate of hostages : Flip of the coin ?
  • Chakan Gang-Ngai 2026 : Ooba Video
  • Unfinished requiem- Linthoingambi & Hemanjit
  • "Ningol Van" Launched at Taobungkhok
  • Calm reflection vis a vis brute violence : Poem
  • Foundation Days of States/UT
  • World No Tobacco Day 2026
  • Breast Cancer Awareness in Guwahati
  • Licensed to create mayhem ?
  • How to Break Manipur w/o Breaking Any Laws
  • 17th Manipur State Film Awards (MSFA), 2025
  • World We Make, World That Makes Us : Poem
  • Counting Right, Voting Right: What SIR means
  • Calls on Indonesia to ratify tobacco treaty
  • Honourable exit for Ashutosh & Kailun
  • Police Museum at 1st Manipur Rifles
  • Eid-Ul-Zuha @Sangaiyumpham : Gallery
  • June Calendar for Year 2026 : Tools
  • 16th Manipur State Film Awards (MSFA), 2024
  • KIM's proposed rally must be called off
  • International Menstrual Hygiene Day
  • Plants : The force that engineered Earth
  • AC: How does it affect the skin ?
  • Onslaughts at Ukhrul district
  • Lhangpat Mei @Keishamthong #2: Gallery
  • Anthem of Switland :: Poem
  • CM visits Makhan Naga Village
  • Manipur University needs fresh air
  • False Narrative on Killing of Thadou Christian
  • Summer Coaching Camp 2026 @NSU
  • Tribute to Pu Mangvung Paokholun Haokip
  • Incursion from across the border
  • Radio E-pao: 5 new songs updated
  • Manipuri Community in Assam Calls for Vision
  • School dropouts & never-enrolled children
  • M. Tech at Assam University
  • Under One Sky or Leased ? :: Poem
  • When AI speaks in tribal languages
  • 'The Unbecoming' makes Northeast debut
  • After crossing the three year mark
  • Cheirao-chingkaba on Cheiraoba #2: Gallery
  • Anoi Group Art Exhibition 2026 : Download
  • Exploring Hyderabad's Museums #1
  • Maharaja Garib Niwaz : Manipuri civilisation #4
  • IEC Campaign at Willong Khullen
  • World Emergency Medicine Day 2026
  • Liver & GI super-speciality clinic
  • Adding more muscle to State Police
  • Rally at New Checkon- May 25 : Gallery
  • Hritwika Majumder at Miss Grand India 2026
  • How social media fuels division & ethnic tension
  • Saving Manipur's vanishing paddy & wetland
  • Helpline for Thadou people
  • 477 new Manipur Police Vehicles
  • NDPP-NPF merger accepted by ECI
  • Seeking to pitch Nagas against Meiteis
  • 63rd Mr. Manipur #3 : Gallery
  • Why CJP resonates with Manipur's youth
  • A moral, humanitarian reflection on violence
  • Financial assistance to IDPs
  • Legally binding treaty for older persons
  • Zoonotic Disease : Link animal & human
  • Jealous of Meloni
  • Making the bodies disappear !
  • Yaoshang - Cooking Competition : Gallery
  • Manipur State Award for Literature 2024
  • Manipur's unresolved Political Journey
  • 'Kuki is not an ethnic name'
  • Miyawaki Plantation Experiment at Langol
  • A Ploy to Keep the Chasm Wide Open : Poem
  • 45th Water India Expo 2026
  • Beating of the Retreat #1: Gallery
  • Martyred Rev Dr Vumthang Sitlhou
  • When Ima Weeps in Silence :: Poem
  • International Eld's Deer Day
  • Sticking to a consistent narrative
  • Arms recovered from Lamdeng: Gallery
  • Exploring Kolkata: College Street #1
  • Wetland grabbing, hydropower, & ecologies
  • Condoles Demise of Khangembam Kuleswar
  • Upgradation of Imp-Jiri road: Poor planning
  • IEC Campaign at Phaibung, Senapati
  • In a mess for over 3 years now
  • The King Who Built a Golden Bridge : Kyampa
  • Mother's Day at Pukhao : Gallery
  • Manipur in India Constitutional Transition #3
  • Satyajit Ray's universal language
  • Decoding MLR & LR Act, 1960 & Article 371C
  • National Endangered Species Day 2026
  • India-New Zealand step into a new eco league
  • Posers over fate of abducted 6 Naga men
  • Sit-in protest @Kanglatongbi [May 18]: Gallery
  • Why communities must abandon hostility
  • Apatani's Next Top Model @Arunachal
  • The Fog of Uncertainty :: Poem
  • IEC Campaign at Song Song, Senapati
  • Supports TIM Proposal for Thadou-Naga
  • NE's Largest Psychiatric Hospital
  • Triangular clash underway in Manipur
  • Lamjen @ Thangjing Haraoba #1: Gallery
  • From Sympathy to Supremacy :: Poem
  • History repeats itself
  • Church Teams to visit Kangpokpi & Senapati
  • Workshop on Analytical Chromatography
  • Criminal Neglect, Terror Shielding
  • Summer make-up tricks to beat the heat
  • Pulling the strings to block the highways
  • Manipur Art Festival 2025 #3: Gallery
  • Manipur fermented food & scientific recognition
  • Seminar : Development of NE Region
  • Cheiraoba Chak Katpa #2: Gallery
  • Maharaja Garib Niwaz : Manipuri civilisation #3
  • Yumjao Lairembi Haraoba #1 : Gallery
  • Manipur in India Constitutional Transition #2
  • Sit-in protest @Kanglatongbi [May 14]: Gallery
  • Int'l Triathlon Yengkhom Suraj felicitated
  • Colonial Knowledge Production in NE #22
  • Condemns Killing of Thadou Church Leaders
  • Candlelight Vigil @ Bangalore #2 : Gallery
  • Maharaja Garib Niwaz : Manipuri civilisation #2
  • The Green Foundation recognised as a SIRO
  • Waithou Rally condemn civilian killing: Gallery
  • Chahi Taret Khuntakpa
  • HSLC Exam 2026 : Full Result
  • HSLC Exam 2026 : Pass % : Govt Schools
  • HSLC Exam 2026 : Pass % : Aided Schools
  • HSLC Exam 2026 : Pass % : Private Schools
  • HSLC Exam 2026 : Withheld-students
  • HSLC Exam 2026 : Compartmental candidates
  • HSLC Exam 2026 : Statistical Abstract
  • HSLC Exam 2026 : Important Information
  • Chandel District Head Quarters : Gallery
  • Indigenous Leaders Call for Global Recognition
  • Subika Art Exhibition @Washington : Gallery
  • Vegetables @ Waithou Keithel #2 : Gallery
  • Conflict, Displacement in Manipur (2023-2026)
  • Tronglaobi: 2 children laid to rest : Gallery
  • Martyrs' Day @ Cheiraoching #2 : Gallery
  • Featured Front Page Photo 2026 #2: Gallery
  • Free Online access to 'Asangba Nongjabi
  • Candlelight vigil: Killing at TM Kasom : Gallery
  • Fractured sovereignty : Proxy war
  • Mama, I love you- Then the world went silent
  • Khongjom Day @ Khebaching : Gallery
  • Final Merit List : Manipur Civil Services 2022
  • HSE : Pushpa K, H Keniya, P Taibangnganba
  • Yohen Longjam : HSE 2026 : Science Topper
  • Sarangthem Ayingbi : HSE 2026 : Arts Topper
  • Thoihenba Thongam : HSE 2026: Commerce
  • HSE 2026: Science Full Result
  • HSE 2026: Arts Full Result
  • HSE 2026: Commerce Full Result
  • HSE 2026: Pass % - Govt / Non Govt
  • HSE 2026: Pass % - District Institutes
  • HSE 2026: Subject-wise Pass %
  • HSE 2026: Candidates securing Highest Mark
  • HSE 2026: Science Topper List
  • HSE 2026: Arts Topper List
  • HSE 2026: Commerce Topper List
  • The great Manipur betrayal
  • Most Heinous Murder: Derailing Normalisation
  • Martyrs' Day @ Cheiraoching #1 : Gallery
  • Killing of 2 children @ Tronglaobi : Gallery
  • Yaoshang Thabal Chongba #2: Gallery
  • Boong: India's 1st BAFTA in children's cinema
  • PUCL Tribunal report: A shadow of partiality #3
  • PUCL Tribunal report: A shadow of partiality #2
  • PUCL Tribunal report: A shadow of partiality #1