There is no perfect form of government, yet democracy continues to be regarded as the closest to an ideal. India’s parliamentary system rests on the principles of representation and participation, but its functioning in certain contexts reveals serious limitations. In Nagaland, electoral realities often expose a disconnect between democratic ideals and ground conditions.
The ensuing 28-Koridang by-election is a case in point. Electoral outcomes are frequently shaped by demographic weight rather than merit. Larger villages with bigger vote banks tend to dominate politics, leaving smaller villages with little to no representation. While exceptions may occur, they remain rare. For candidates from smaller villages, even entering the fray is a challenge, let alone winning. In practice, electoral viability is often determined by a candidate’s financial strength, social standing, and connections. For the most part, party affiliation appears secondary, while competence, integrity, and vision struggle to find space.
Such structural imbalances are further compounded by electoral malpractices. Among the most persistent concerns is the issue of inflated voter rolls. The presence of bogus voters undermines the very foundation of free and fair elections. In such a scenario, “proxy” voting becomes widespread, reducing the electoral process to a contest of numbers rather than a reflection of genuine public will. Supporters of candidates compete to maximize these questionable votes, eroding trust in the system and often leading to violence.
It is difficult to attribute these challenges to a single cause. Social dynamics, administrative gaps, and political culture all play a role. Technological interventions, such as stricter voter identification mechanisms, may offer some solutions, but they are not foolproof. Without a broader commitment to electoral integrity and accountability, such measures can only go so far.
Democracy, at its core, depends not just on systems but on the spirit in which they are upheld. For Nagaland, the challenge lies in ensuring that representation is not reduced to distorted numerical dominance and that elections remain a meaningful exercise of choice rather than a predetermined outcome.