World’s largest democratic exercise rolls on
Washington,
Apr 23 -
Today marks the second round of voting in India’s general election. Three more phases will follow as this country of 1.2 billion votes in a new government. I had a front row seat for the first round when I was in India last week to gauge U.S.-India relations, the regional security situation post-Mumbai, and the economic climate. Naxilites - Maoist rebels who have been waging a low-level insurgency for four decades - took 17 lives the first day. Yesterday these terrorists hijacked a train. Indian democracy rolls on.
The numbers alone are baffling. Over 714 million voters - more than twice the U.S. population - are expected to cast ballots at 828,804 polling places. Over 6 million security and civil officials will oversee the election with 1.3 million voting machines being used.
The country is in full election mode, with most everyone predicting a tight race. It is a near certainty that no party will gain a plurality, meaning the real intrigue will start after the last vote is cast in three weeks, when a coalition will be required. Religious, regional and linguistic differences have produced over 1,000 registered parties. In Tamil Nadu, where I was, neither major party is thought to have a chance. Coalition bargaining will be bazaar-like. It's a fair question whether the splintering of parties is good for Indian democracy.
Prime Minister Singh told our delegation that progress in relations between India and the United States was "irreversible." Nothing in diplomacy is certain, but the relationship is on very sound ground and stands to improve. Opportunities for greater cooperation in trade and investment, energy development, counterterrorism and many other areas are limitless. The foundation for this cooperation is varied, including a common Islamist terrorist enemy, but no doubt the tight bind of democracy is key. I was fortunate to see Indians exercise their democratic rights in such an impressive way.
