Delay of Gujarat Assembly Elections

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