Elections in Bharat, the Oldest Democracy on Earth

On 19th April 2024, Bharat began with the 18th national or Lok Sabha elections. Elections are symbolic of a country's democracy and in our case, it encapsulates the nation's diversity. Bharat, being one of the most diverse countries in terms of region, language, and culture, observes its elections as an event that unifies its people. During elections, citizens from every corner of the country, regardless of their cultural, linguistic or geographical differences, come together to exercise their democratic right to vote and choose their representatives. Let us look at the rich history of elections in Bharat—the oldest democracy in the world. By examining historical sources, we gain a deeper appreciation of Bharat's democratic heritage. This heritage, predating many modern democracies, continues to shape the country's political landscape, influencing its approach to governance and public participation in the democratic process. The country's democratic roots can be traced back to ancient texts. The Rig Veda and Atharva Veda, some of the oldest Indian scriptures, use terms such as ‘sabha’, ‘samiti’, and ‘sansad’, which signify the existence of a system of government, bearing a striking resemblance to a modern-day republic..Further evidence of ancient election systems in Bharat can be found in the Uttiramerur inscriptions, located in the southern state of Tamil Nadu. These detailed inscriptions provide a fascinating glimpse into an early democratic system of local governance in village panchayats. This system was operational during the rule of King Parantaka Deva, a significant figure who is said to have ascended the throne of the powerful Chola dynasty during the term 907-955 C.E. This election system, known as the Kudavoil system, involved the use of a pot as a ballot box and palm leaves as ballot papers. Individuals wrote the name of their preferred candidate on a leaf and dropped them in the pot. The winning leaf was then drawn from the pot. However, this wasn’t a random selection. To prevent corruption, candidates had to meet a detailed and extensive list of qualifications. The rules for candidate disqualification are also outlined in this inscription.Bharat's democratic tradition is also evident in various external sources. Numerous Buddhist texts, as well as records from Greek scholars who visited India, corroborate the depiction of Bharat as a republican state or, in some instances, as a pure democracy. These accounts underline the longstanding practice of democratic governance in Bharat, putting it at the forefront of early democratic societies. Ancient Bharat's republic states had similar systems for democratic decision-making. There are various references to voting, ballot papers and referendums. Although detailed accounts of these systems are scarce, it is known that each individual had one vote, there was an assembly, and all public affairs were discussed there. It can be inferred that each village had an assembly for discussing public affairs and making welfare decisions. Attendees had the right to vote during these decisions. A vote was referred to as 'chhanda', meaning a wish, and there were ballot papers known as 'shalaka', represented by coloured pins for different sides. A pin collector was responsible for collecting, counting and declaring the results of the voting. Envisioning this sophisticated system of democratic decision-making in ancient Bharat truly speaks volumes about its glory. As the population grew and it was impractical for each individual to attend the assembly, it may have evolved into a representative form of government as it exists today..It is often thought that this system of decision-making in the sovereign states of ancient Bharat led to the formation of village panchayats. Until the arrival of the British, these village assemblies discussed various matters, including trade. However, with colonisation, the Indian villages were stripped of their corporate roles and decision-making processes. The entire system was centralised according to the colonisers' rules and laws. Post-colonisation, India conducted its first official national election in 1951. With almost a sixth of the world's population voting, it was the largest election globally at the time. Independent India initially lacked rules and laws for conducting elections, and it wasn't until the completion of the Constitution in 1950 that official election rules were established. The independent Election Commission, which still conducts elections today, was one of the most significant aspects of these rules. Voting in India is not only a right for every adult but also a fundamental duty of each citizen. Our right to vote is not a modern privilege, but a democratic practice that has existed since ancient times in Bharat. It plays a crucial role in making Bharat the world's largest democracy.