Rajni Kothari argued in his Politics in India, that the antecedent style and structures of caste or tribal loyalties would be functional in the short run and that they must give way to bigger pressures in the long run. Then, how far has the 'long run' been now? Elections after elections have come and gone.

Each election is the testing field of the validity and appropriateness of the rules and regulations of elections that we gave to ourselves. All the election-related incidents are supposed to be the chapters that would expectedly open new panorama of change. The Election Commission is believed to account for thereby effecting changes in the system that will suit the new exigencies.

Modernising elections:

The Government of India has indeed taken so many steps to address the problems relating to elections in the form of electoral reforms.

Many new sections and sub-sections have already been inserted in the principal articles that deal with elections. In addition, the model code of conducts for candidates and political parties are amended repeatedly. The Representation of People Act, 1951 has almost lost its original contents due to frequent insertions of new requirements and amendments.

The Indian Parliament amended this Act in 1989 along with The Conduct of Election Rules, 1961 making provisions for the use of EVMs in elections. It began to be used only in November 1998. Rules and norms are prepared for officials, handbooks of elections. They are simple guideline of procedures that have, in the real sense, nothing to do with safeguarding of the electorates, rights.

Exercising its power conferred on it by Article 324, the Election Commission ordered every candidate to furnish affidavit information as to - any pending case against them; their assets; liability; and educational qualifications etc.

Moreover, its disciplinary jurisdiction is also a remarkable buttress in the direction of correcting the ill conditions affecting our electoral system. The Constitution (Ninety-first amendment) Act, 2003 was a landmark in itself.

The amendment provides that the Council of Minister, including the Chief Minister, should not exceed fifteen percent of the total number of members of the Legislative Assembly. With the enforcement of this act, another question of monopolistic and claims of undue ascendancy in dispensation of ministerial berth is being promised by incumbent thereby conspiring the illiterate and innocent citizens.

The power conferred under Article 324, mentioned also above, is a very important valve as far as electoral systems and electoral reformations are concerned. Free and fair or smooth conduct of election is more solely rests on the understanding of the commission.

Another thing is the empowerment of the High Courts in their respective jurisdiction, over cases of any election disputes. Any aggrieved party can petition and appeal the High Courts in case of corrupt practises are being adopted by other contesting party/ies.

India 'Failed as a 'Democratic' Country: In any elections in a democratic country, electing some individuals to form Government or to make laws on our behalf is not the end in itself. More important is 'how' the voters elect those individuals.

The 'how' includes the questions of fairness of the election; freeness of the voters in choosing their choice without any elements playing against his/her right and under no forces; and most importantly, awareness of the voters.

The question, then, is - do the ignorant and powerless citizens, particularly in Hill constituencies of Manipur, enjoy their rights as citizens of democratic state without fear and fouls?

Not only is the real political problems of the tribal being remained un-addressed, but widespread election-related violence, crime, riots, murders, mayhem and influences of what is called money, muscle, mafia power and underground involvements are also rampant in India as a whole.

This shall remain as a characteristic of developing India.

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