Democratic Practices

India has been in election mode for a while now with Bihar electing legislators to its 243-member Legislative Assembly between October 28 and November 7. Incumbent Chief Minister of the state, Nitish Kumar may know the tricks of the trade but it was the first time he had to face the elections after leaving the Mahagathbandhan in 2017 to form government with NDA in the state. So, the whole country was watching how well he would fair under the new alliance. Besides Bihar, bye-elections were held in several other states including Nagaland. But the United States presidential election that was also held at around the same time hogged all the limelight. This year’s presidential contest between Joe Biden and Donald Trump attracted much global attention. In fact, many Indians appeared to be following the US elections more keenly than the assembly elections being conducted in several states back home; at least that’s what the reactions on social media indicated. After Joe Biden denied Donald Trump a second term as the president of the United States by winning the elections, and Kamala Harris, who has Indian connection through her mother, was declared Vice President-elect, there was mixed reaction with people speculating on what could be in store for India after the new leadership takes over the world’s most powerful country. Some celebrated the outcome of the election while some expressed doubts, triggered by speculations on the possible change of US’ foreign policy with the leadership change; and Biden’s past stand on Citizenship Amendment Act, National Register of Citizens, rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, etc. Of course, US’ policies can have impact on other countries, including India but the facts remains that the overwhelming attention and the fuss is much ado about nothing as it was America’s election and India’s preference won’t have any effect on its electoral outcome. The fear is also unprecedented as Biden, who has almost half-a-century experience in politics, is unlikely to sever friendships that took years to build. Change of leadership is not something new and it’s something that every country has to deal with. What is worrying is the new unprecedented development in America’s democracy which the country takes pride in.

Interestingly, Trump has refused to accept defeat in the presidential elections even days after media organisations declared Biden as the winner. He continues to make unsubstantiated allegations of widespread voter fraud and uses the legal system to continue in office. This reminds one of Indian political parties blaming electronic voting machines (EVMs) for the negative results every time there is an election in India though the Election Commission had repeatedly termed the claims of voting machines being rigged, as baseless. Congress leader Udit Raj has once again blamed the EVMs in the recent Bihar assembly elections. But it’s time to stop playing blame game. Refusing people’s verdict in defeat but accepting it in victory is utter hypocrisy. By refusing to concede defeat, Trump has also undermined the concept of decency in a democracy. Lawmakers have to face the verdict of the people after a fixed term in office and its outcome should be respected. They should accept defeat with grace. Obstructing peaceful transition of power with substantiated claims is against the very concept of democracy.