An example of the problem with having elections in phases is the possible change in the electorate’s mood due to unexpected incidents occurring in between. This may have happened in J&K following the killing of the Hezbollah leader by the Israelis. The first two phases may have been focused on local issues such as statehood, restoration of Article 370, development, ‘outsider-insider’, etc., but after the demise of Hassan Nasrallah, the Shia dominated Kashmir has witnessed a wave of demonstrations, which have not been witnessed of late. Would that shift the sentiment towards a consolidation of religious sentiment, thereby benefiting the more radical elements that associate themselves with a pan-Islamic activism? It could distort the election results.
The same was witnessed, it may be recalled, after the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi midway through the election in 1991. The sympathy vote swept the mandate in favour of the Congress in the remaining phases. Can such mandates be considered reflective of public sentiment? In the ongoing debate on ‘one nation, one election’, should this factor not be taken into account and one phase polling also seriously considered? There is the technology already in place and much of the country votes peacefully, with disturbances occurring in only a few places. It is unfair that one section of voters that votes in the early phases should be denied the information that becomes available to those who do so later.
It will be interesting to see what the pattern was in the early phases in J&K and that which emerged in the last phase. It will indicate to what extent pan-Islamism has played a role and its correlation to local politics in J&K. It is also important to note that there has been a general silence on the part of the Indian government on the conflict between Israel and Hamas-Hezbollah, apart from the usual platitudes seeking peace in the region. For some reason, expressing sympathy for the Palestinians is being treated as anti-national by certain ruling party politicians and street level activists. This will certainly be shaping opinion among certain sections not favourable to the establishment. Policy makers should give this aspect of elections due consideration to obtain fair and balanced mandates.
