What's Up, Poll Doc?

How the EC makes electoral medicine go down


What's Up, Poll Doc?

-The Times of India, January 14, 2012

Our dear old EC has been putting in place great measures for the coming elections in five states. The article calls it the "electoral medicine," and indeed for political parties and politicians, it is a bitter pill to swallow.  

Over the top

Can there be the slightest doubt that the EC's order to cover up all statues of Chief Minister Mayawati and those of the elephant, her Bahujan Samaj Party's election symbol, in election-bound Uttar Pradesh with the politically neutral pink-coloured cloth or plastic sheets falls in the over the top category?

The Hindu : Opinion / Editorial : Over the top

The Election Commission of India has just given new meaning to that phrase ‘pink elephants'. The order is supposed to “ensure that these statues do not influence the minds of the electors, disturbing the level playing field” during the election.

What the Election Commission must learn to do is understand the limits of its power, even in election season, keep off the grass, and leave the matter to the people's court.

For level electoral field, Election Commission orders draping of Mayawati's statues

Times View - Consistent - and correct


Counterview - A meaningless decision


-The Times of India, January 10, 2012

Towards a level playing field

The Hindu : Opinion / Lead : Towards a level playing field:

by Navin Chawla was Chief Election Commissioner from April 2009 to July 2010, having been one of the Election Commissioners from May 2005.

"The Election Commission of India has been able to bring about a significant level of refinement and reform to the election process over time, yet more needs to be done."

Umpiring a gigantic exercise

The Hindu : Opinion / Lead : Umpiring a gigantic exercise:

by Navin Chawla was Chief Election Commissioner from April 2009 to July 2010, having been one of the Election Commissioners from May 2005

"The men, the machines and the rest of the logistics behind Elections 2009, added up to an extraordinary exercise."