Page 11 - Leap of Faith inside pages with cover (1)
P. 11

Message

                                   Election Commissioner of India





                                    th
                    s India enters the 75  year of independence, it is  “Leap of Faith: Journey of Indian Elections” delves into
                    time  for  us  to  recapitulate  the  democratic  the annals of elections in India – from colonial era to
            Avalues of our nation.                            contemporary times – to bring out the main facets of
                                                              electoral democracy.
            The  elections  of  colonial  era  were  held  on  extremely
            limited franchise. They were conducted by the provincial  Elections belong to all of us. This book will help readers to
            administration.  The  Constituent  Assembly  decided  in  gain  the  perspective  in  ensuring  free,  fair,  accessible,
            favour of a single, autonomous and permanent Election  participative, festive, inclusive and accessible elections.
            Commission of India to hold elections based on adult
            suffrage.  This  was  imperative  both  for  ensuring  the
            efficiency and impartiality of elections to Parliament and
            state legislatures. The decision, in the hindsight, was an
            extremely  sensible  one.  Strengthening  electoral
            management step by step has fortified democracy.                              Anup Chandra Pandey
                                                                                   Election Commissioner of India
            The  vibrancy of  elections is an  index  to  the health of
            democracy  in  the  country.  Elections  are  more  than
            events; they are a philosophy. No good democracy can be
            built on the foundations of bad elections.
            Every  public  institution  should  foster  its  heritage.  It  is
            especially true about Election Commission of India, which
            is  justly  proud  of  its  catalytic  role  in  institutionalizing
            democracy in India. The Election Commission is constantly
            improving  upon  its  activities  so  as  to  make  the  future
            elections a truer reflection of electorate's verdict.




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