ELECTION DAY

An election day is the most important day in the life of a democratic nation. It usually comes once in five years. People get an opportunity to elect new representatives if they are not satisfied with the performance of the sitting candidates.

I had the good luck to witness India's ninth general elections. Our area had to elect one representative for the Lok Sabha and one for the state assembly. But there were in all seven candidates in the fray for one Lok Sabha seat and ten for the lone assembly seat.

Distribution of leaflets, appeal from blaring loudspeakers on the moving cars and jeeps, posters and banners, processions and meetings were the usual modes of canvassing. In the last few days there was door-to-door canvassing also. Representatives went from door to door and solicited votes* Sometimes, there were clashes between the supporters of rival candidates and the police had to intervene to restore peace.

The canvassing stopped 48 hours before the election day. Peace was restored. At last the much awaited election day dawned. Voting started at eight in the morning. There were long queues of voters at all polling booths. Voters went in the booth by turn. Each had his name in the electoral roll ticked. His left-hand finger was marked with indelible ink and he was given the two ballot-papers-one for the Lok Sabha seat and the other for the assembly seat. Names of all the candidates along with their election symbols were printed on the ballot papers. The voter went to a secluded corner, stamped the symbol of the candidate of his choice, folded the ballot-paper and dropped it in the sealed ballot box. There were two boxes - one for the Lok Sabha seat and the other for the assembly seat. Voting slowed down after eleven, but picked up speed after four. As the closing time neared, people rushed to the polling booths to exercise their voting rights. There were all types of voters-men and women, young and old, the disabled and the sick. An old man was brought on a stretcher to enable him to caste his vote. India is proud of such politically conscious voters who help to keep the democracy alive.

Polling stopped sharp at the stroke of six. An exciting day was over at last. Now began the guess and expectations and waiting for the results.