It will be only a week from now when the first phase of general elections will take place, marking the beginning of the biggest event of the world’s most active democracy. If it’s that big because of the sheer volume of electoral participation, contesting candidates, polling booths, EVMs, polling personnel, logistics involvement etc, it is also that safe because of the security personnel who will be guarding us all throughout. But for them, elections would have been totally unmanageable.

The security aspect in Indian elections has been a major issue for decades and it can’t be refuted that there had been incidences of poll violence in past which have vitiated the democratic atmosphere. The hired henchmen of the contestants, colloquially known as gundas intimidating, harassing, bribing voters at polling places throughout the country and preventing them from casting their votes has been a common sight in Indian democracy. Incidents of non-registered voters deliberately lengthening lines and frustrating legitimate voters into going home, triggering violence and deaths are also not rare. That is why there had been repeated appeals by Election Observers to all political parties to eschew violence at any cost and make elections free and fair.

If appealing to the conscience of political flag-bearers is one side of the process, making election security apparatus full-proof is the other. This time too, like previous editions there will be a collaborative exercise involving the personnel of the Assam Rifles, BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP, SSB and NSG collectively known to us as Central Armed Police Forces or CAPFs and respective state police forces. They have already started making their presence felt by conducting route marches in cities, towns and villages to spread the message - be rest assured, we are here.

These CAPFs, on which ECI will count heavily are often termed as ‘force multipliers’ due to their perceived neutrality, superior training & discipline and experience in dealing with very challenging situations. Based on the technique of vulnerability mapping which identifies polling places most prone to fraud and violence, they will be on special alert 24x7 besides safeguarding the voters thronging polling stations and the polling personnel on poll days. And since there would be a considerable gap between the dates of polls and the day of counting, it will also be they, who would secure the strong rooms where EVMs and VVPATs are stored, containing the all-important people’s verdict.

The sight of these uniformed men & women in heavy boots with fingers on triggers of sophisticated weapons is a real faith enhancer for the country’s electorate. But for perpetrators of violence, they are palpable perils. Without them it’s impossible to imagine peaceful, participative and credible democratic elections.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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