Bihar’s above par voter turnout is great for democracy

The impressive turnout in the first and second phases of the Bihar polls–marginally better than the 2019 Lok Sabha elections and only a shade lesser than the 2015 assembly elections–has come as a pleasant surprise. The Covid pandemic fears, a comparatively muted election campaign, and social distancing measures at polling stations were feared to trigger a decline in voter turnout. But that is clearly not the case.

For democracy, this is heartening indeed. The spirit of the citizen to make the vote count, despite politicians often squandering the mandate, has held the country in good stead. With democracies under all sorts of stress and strain the world over, Indian politicians must live up to voter expectations or face up to similar troubles cropping up in India too, just as the US, another large democracy, is witnessing in recent times.

Also read: 54% vote in Leg 2: Urban voters cold despite peace and pleasant weather

With nearly 60% of Bihar’s population under 25 and young voters forming a bulk of the electors, the campaign had a decided pro-young tilt with politicians forced to deliberate on issues dear to them like jobs and education. Nitish Kumar upped Bihar’s governance quotient on some basics like law and order, electricity, roads and piped drinking water, but hasn’t quite delivered on education, health or economic progress. The netas and poll pundits are struggling to glean the implications of the remarkable turnout for pro- and anti-incumbency. Whichever side wins, the high turnout must serve as a reminder to the winners of the high hopes reposed in them by citizens.