While we are yet to find out which political party will benefit from the impressive voter turnout — an estimated 75 per cent — in the first phase of Assembly election in Assam, one can be confident that it is an endorsement of the democratic process which alone can resolve issues, however contentious they may be. As the hotbed of United Liberation Front of Asom unrest, the State has gone to the polls before fearing disruption by the ULFA, which has always been opposed to elections, and continues to boycott the process. But this time, the people could not care less and they came out in huge numbers to cast their votes. Perhaps this was because they believed the ongoing peace process between the Union Government and a faction of ULFA, led by Arabinda Rajakhowa, had largely blunted the offensive of the section led by Paresh Barua and reduced its ability to create nuisance. Of course, it is too early to predict that the rest of the process leading right up to the second phase of polling on April 11 will be just as smooth, since the Baruah faction, smarting at the snub, may still create trouble. But that will only further dent the obstinate separatist’s image. Additionally, the fact that sections of the population that had not voted before have now joined the election process is commendable. For instance, it is for the first time in 15 years that the cadre of the ethnic Karbi Longri NC Hills Liberation Front participated in the election. Also, hats off to the two polling stations that recorded a 100 per cent turnout!
It’s stronger than the appeal of the gun
Of course, some voters like those affiliated to the Indigenous People’s Forum still boycotted the process, but in time to come they will surely see reason, especially given the huge amount of enthusiasm demonstrated by the people of Assam. After all, the Forum cannot ignore their aspirations if it hopes to remain relevant in Assamese politics. In fact, they should take a cue from the State’s 250-member strong community of Chinese-origin people which has religiously participated in nearly every election because of its strong faith in the democratic system. Its members have gone through harrowing times, especially during and after the India-China war of 1962, when several of them were detained under the Defence of India Act. In the process, many lost their possessions and their homes. Yet they emerged from the trauma without losing faith in the system and this is a lesson for those outfits who believe that violence is the only way to replace defective democratic governance. The voters of Assam have shown the way to peace for the other States in the North-East, many of which are still in the grip of unrest. This is an important lesson for the region as it realises that even a flawed democracy is better than armed struggle.
It’s stronger than the appeal of the gun
Of course, some voters like those affiliated to the Indigenous People’s Forum still boycotted the process, but in time to come they will surely see reason, especially given the huge amount of enthusiasm demonstrated by the people of Assam. After all, the Forum cannot ignore their aspirations if it hopes to remain relevant in Assamese politics. In fact, they should take a cue from the State’s 250-member strong community of Chinese-origin people which has religiously participated in nearly every election because of its strong faith in the democratic system. Its members have gone through harrowing times, especially during and after the India-China war of 1962, when several of them were detained under the Defence of India Act. In the process, many lost their possessions and their homes. Yet they emerged from the trauma without losing faith in the system and this is a lesson for those outfits who believe that violence is the only way to replace defective democratic governance. The voters of Assam have shown the way to peace for the other States in the North-East, many of which are still in the grip of unrest. This is an important lesson for the region as it realises that even a flawed democracy is better than armed struggle.
