Elections are the bedrock of democracy: government of the people, for the people, and by the people. Every citizen should highly understand and honour the election process because elections have consequences. Undermining elections through foul play by employing established institutions, outside influence, and manipulating votes has severe consequences; that is, democracy would be in peril.

India is gearing up for the national election. It is a good thing for the life of democracy, but the question is: will the elections be fair and square? One of the disturbing factors in the forthcoming election is the device employed to collect votes. Experts opine that they are susceptible to manipulation. Under such circumstances, if the largest democracy in the world exercises its franchise, what kind of legitimacy does it hold?

The present dispensation is cosy, and the reasons are obvious and glaring. Without a doubt, this attitude of the present dispensation should disturb the citizens for many reasons, primarily for undermining their decision to elect representatives of their own choice by holding on to EVM machines because, somewhere inside, we all have the power to change the world. And it springs forth from the conviction that ordinary people have extraordinary possibilities. Hence, the election commission ought to be mindful of this reality, take the proper course of action, and build confidence in citizens, for elections have consequences.

Glossy slogans such as "one nation, one election", "one civil code", "one religion", "one language", "bill on women's reservation", and "inauguration of Ram Mandir" have detracted the voters from reality. Do these ring a bell? Take, for example, "One nation, one election." Does it indeed concur with our constitution and the type of democracy India practices?

Sadly, for the last ten years, the focus of politics in the country has been horse-trading. Governments have been toppled or formed without having a majority by buying MLAs from other political parties by using muscle and money power. Governments in states like Karnataka, Manipur, Haryana, Maharashtra, and Goa were formed despite the numbers not agreeing. With what moral authority does the BJP propose to hold "one nation, one election?"

Simultaneous elections are almost impossible to implement, as it would mean arbitrarily curtailing or extending the term of existing legislatures to bring their election dates in line with the due date for the rest of the country. Such a measure would undermine democracy and federalism. Seemingly, there are several benefits to holding "one nation, one election", like saving money and time and making elections more efficient, but those benefits undermine the people's will to choose their representative in a federal system of democracy; in other words, "one nation, one election" undermines the federal system of democracy.

A nation going for an election must hold certain parameters to make it worthwhile and ask pertinent questions to the government, such as where the nation stands, how we arrived here, and where we want to go. Proper national debates should take place with openness and sincerity to answer these questions. The nation faces some critical issues, which should be addressed systematically and responsibly for the well-being of the people and the nation. These social, political, and economic issues are meant to be considered to improve our society's ailing condition. If left unaddressed, it could flare up into a major crisis. Like corruption: the most widely spread endemic in India is corruption, which must be handled quickly and wisely.

Glaring examples exist, such as that of Adani and others who have escaped the country with big booty, which is a travesty and tragedy. Poor citizens are the victims of this epidemic, which keeps pushing them below the poverty line. Unemployment is widespread among the youth. The Prime Minister promised to create crores of jobs, but joblessness among the youth is only on the rise. The distressing situation of agriculture appears in the number of farmer suicides. Instead of easing the plight of the farmers, the BJP government came up with draconian laws to suppress the farmers even further. Women's safety is a huge concern in our country. Although both men and women enjoy equal opportunities, as far as the freedom and safety of women are concerned, India lags. Issues like domestic violence, rape, and the portrayal of women in the media must be tackled immediately.

Curtails on the freedom of religion ought to be tackled sensibly and objectively. It is a fundamental right, and the Indian Constitution upholds it. However, sadly, under the present dispensation, freedom of religion has gone for a toss. Many innocent people have lost lives and property. In a secular democracy, favouring one religion over the others is poisoning the society. Pollution and the destruction of natural resources should be of paramount importance. To satisfy the wanton desires of some so-called "business tycoons", the government has been trampling over the masses and violating the natural environment without a thought or concern. With such intent, the Prime Minister gloriously talks about taking India into the league of the top three economies in the world but is silent about the humongous national debt he has incurred during his tenure as a curse for future generations.

Elections have consequences, and all citizens should be concerned about them. Most politicians like to take gullible citizens for a ride during the election, and they have mostly been successful in their ploy. Abraham Lincoln said, "You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you cannot fool all of the people all of the time." The nation ought to be conscious and mindful of the empirical reality and the existential threat we face as we stand in time. Look around, and don't be shocked; the fascist elements are on full display and taking a firm grip over the democratically set up institutions and autonomous agencies. Check out the media that operates to the government's tune and only focuses on denigrating the opposition, a clear sign of the ominous present and future.

Our vote should reflect where we want to go as a nation. Inflation is at an all-time high; the prices of essential commodities have skyrocketed; poor people are struggling to make ends meet; and the main slogan of the government is death to non-Hindus and changing the name from "India to Bharat". The people of India should rise above the quagmire of religion and caste politics to build a better and brighter nation where all can enjoy peace, equality, fraternity, and liberty.

Elections have consequences, and you and I can make a difference: vote wisely!