Why in news?
- Assembly elections for the Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh are usually announced simultaneously.
- Currently, Gujarat elections have been suspiciously delayed by almost a month.
What is the reason?
- EC has reasoned that the delay was to facilitate the completion of flood relief programmes in Gujarat.
- But this does not hold ground, as the ‘Model Code of Conduct’ for elections only prohibits fresh further spending and not work in progress.
- Hence it questions the credibility of the Election Commission (EC) as an independent impartial body.
What are the implications of the delay?
- Contradiction - Preference for holding simultaneous elections has been voiced by both the government & EC.
- The current delay is thus a not just against the norm but also contradicts the envisioned election outlook.
- Misuse - Gujarat government had announced a variety of sops & concessions in this suspiciously attained grace time.
- In 13 days, the state government has announced projects worth about Rs 11,000 crores and almost 16 populist concessions.
- These include tax rebate for farmers, Salary increases for state government employees and diwali bonuses.
- Other high-profile projects include metro rail project, Dahej Ferry Service and giving the nod for a flyover & bus station.
- This episode has violated the spirit electioneering and the democracy.
- If left unchecked, it could erode the credibility of our democratic institutions that have been pain-strikingly evolved over the years.
Source: Business Standard