India is the largest democracy in the world. If it is to be tested or seen in its true sense, then it is very important to interview local level politics. The definition given by Abraham Lincoln in the context of democracy *The government of people, by the people and for the people* is also the best defined by local and rural level elections.
Recently, panchayat level elections have been held in Himachal Pradesh. I also got an opportunity to see and feel an election so closely after about 20 years.
I accidentally remembered these words of Professor Laski *Whether you are interested or not in politics but politics is interested in you.*
Panchayat level politics and elections are really going to generate curiosity. *Universal Adult Franchise* is an essential part in a democracy and under it any citizen of India is empowered to contest elections or exercise vote. Before the election, interested candidates fill the nominations to contest in different seats. The voter is motivated to vote in his favor.
If we talk about the election of rural level, even today, different handicaps are adopted to do the voter in his favor.
Every effort is made to woo voters in their favor on regionalism, casteism or any other basis. There has been a wide expansion of education in Himachal Pradesh. The temptation of money, force or any other item does not prove to be very successful or effective in elections. It has also been seen that to a large extent, the sheep movement of people has ended. Today's voter is very aware. Nowadays, bringing the Gods and Goddesses in the elections, which is also known as 'Lun-Lota' system in Himachal Pradesh, has reduced to a great extent. Surprising results have started coming up in elections and the only reason for this is that the voter of today thinks very differently from the voter of 20 or 25 years ago. Today the voter can be made in his favor only by giving factual and accurate arguments. Apart from this, the candidate's pre-election manifesto and the promises made by him have also started to decide the direction of the election. All these aspects are truly honorable and admirable for a pioneer state in education like Himachal. However, it cannot be denied that regionalism and casteism continue to play an important role in local level politics even today. The polarization of voters is still largely determined by the above.
Keeping all these aspects in mind, the development of any Gram Panchayat or locality depends on its educated and aware voter. One special thing that was seen in the local elections this time is the promotion through social media. Where 20-25 years ago, only candidates would be distributing pamphlets n other materials door-to-door for publicity, today it has been seen that through social media, the candidate can spread his opinion and agenda to every voter.
It is the expectation of the people from the elected public representatives that in the next 5 years they will develop all-round and proper development of their region and it is the moral responsibility of each candidate to live up to this expectation of his voters.
*Laik Ram Sharma*
