India, Dec. 5 -- More than 50 years ago, a venerable British scholar of Indian politics wryly observed that elections are one of those things "Indians do rather well". Coming in the backdrop of fears - not entirely illegitimate - of India's democracy being put on permanent hold or becoming "guided", the sanctity of the electoral process was perceived as a redeeming feature of public life. This basic pillar of democracy secured its ultimate endorsement in 1977 when, despite the shadow of the Emergency, India's electorate voted out an authoritarian regime.

The ability of the Election Commission of India (ECI) to ensure that popular will is reflected in the legislatures has been tested over and over in the past seven decades of Independence...