Indian elections have become largely free, allowing millions of citizens to vote peacefully, but they are rarely fair. The core principle of electoral democracy is a “Level Playing Field” (LPL), meaning every candidate and party should start with equal chances. Today, this principle is being undermined, as those in power enjoy massive advantages over their rivals. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi recently criticized the Election Commission of India (ECI) for failing to ensure fairness. Supporters of the government argue he is spreading misinformation, while his followers praise him for asking tough questions about power misuse. Amid these debates, it is clear that Indian elections are free in terms of voter participation but often skewed in favor of ruling parties.
Since independence, India has held 18 general elections, growing into one of the largest democratic exercises in the world. The first election in 1952 faced huge logistical challenges. Around 1.96 lakh polling booths were set up for 17.32 crore voters, and turnout was 45 percent. Comparatively, in 2024, 96.8 crore voters used 10.5 lakh booths, and 65.9 percent turned out to vote. Women’s participation reached a record 31.2 crore. Such scale and organization are remarkable achievements.
Earlier, elections were often violent and manipulated by muscle power. In 1990, during a Maharashtra Vidhan Sabha election in Mumbai, rival groups overpowered local police and took control of booths. Ballots were stamped to favor one side, leading to repolls after media exposure. Even today, some areas, like parts of West Bengal and western Uttar Pradesh, report voter suppression and pre-poll violence. Despite these challenges, voters are now more aware and empowered. People from marginalized communities, who were once intimidated into not voting, now participate confidently, showing the strength of democracy at the grassroots.
While elections are freer, fairness has declined due to the combination of unchecked money power and misuse of state authority. Wealthy parties and candidates have always had advantages, but now, state resources are heavily used to favor incumbents. Political opponents face harassment by law enforcement and central agencies. In the 2024 Delhi elections, supporters of AAP and Congress candidates were reportedly picked up by police ahead of voting, discouraging participation.
Ruling parties also gain an advantage through public money. Welfare schemes, cash handouts, and targeted benefits are often timed before elections to sway voters. Programs like the Ladki Bahin scheme in Maharashtra or Rs 10,000 benefits to women in Bihar illustrate how state funds are used for political gain. This strategy creates dependence and skews voting patterns, undermining the principle of equality in elections.
Media control is another tool. Governments use public funds to launch massive pre-election media campaigns. This often leaves opposition parties invisible in mainstream coverage, while the ruling party dominates the public narrative. Paid news, propaganda, and selective coverage strengthen incumbents and weaken electoral competition.
The Election Commission of India, as the neutral umpire, is supposed to ensure fairness. However, recent actions show a lack of effective intervention. Ahead of the 2024 general elections, the Income Tax department issued notices to Congress and froze accounts, yet the ECI did not act. Communal rhetoric, money manipulation, and paid news went mostly unchecked. When reports of additions or deletions in voter lists emerged, the ECI’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercises were criticized for mismanagement and opacity, as seen in Bihar. Even FIRs filed for potential voter fraud, like in Karnataka, did not see decisive action from the ECI. Without active and impartial enforcement, elections cannot be considered truly fair.
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Despite these challenges, voter participation remains high, showing citizens’ faith in the democratic process. Yet, fairness requires a strong and independent Election Commission that can resist political pressures. Sukumar Sen, India’s first election commissioner, set a high standard for neutrality and integrity. Modern India desperately needs the ECI to reclaim that role and ensure a true Level Playing Field.
In conclusion, Indian elections are a remarkable achievement in scale and voter freedom. Millions exercise their right to vote with confidence, and violence and manipulation are far lower than in the past. However, the misuse of state resources, unchecked money power, and partial oversight by the ECI have tilted the field in favor of those in power. For democracy to thrive, elections must be not just free but also fair—where every party and candidate competes on equal terms, and voters can choose without undue influence.
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