Transition of power: Real credit goes to EC, people of India

The announcement of the election schedule by the Election Commission on Wednesday for electing the representatives for next the Lok Sabha is indeed significant.

India is the only country in this part of Asia where transition of power takes place smoothly as a result of periodical elections as mandated by the Constitution since Independence. No other neighbouring country can make this tall claim.

The real credit for this distinction goes to the Election Commission of India and the people of India.

Indian elections have always been held with no major complaints despite the size of the country geographically and demographically. The 9 phase election looks a little too long but the total period of the election has been kept more or less the same as in last general elections.

Perhaps the narrow time gap between each phase may put some additional stress on election management officials; but keeping the same time frame for the election process needs to be lauded.

Hopefully, the elections will take place peacefully with more financial discipline and make it a real carnival of democracy in the midst of so many disturbing antidemocratic forces within the country and outside.