Welcome to Democratic People’s Republic of India

THE ASIAN INDEPENDENT UK

– Vivek Sakpal

In 2008, I got exposed to the term ‘Electoral Reform’ and since then I tried to read, understand and promote ‘Proportional Representation’ with the resources available to me. During my research, I encountered ‘Democracy Index’ and ‘Quality of Democracy’ and saw India not in the list of top 5 or top 10. India’s rank used to be in the range of 50s. While we proudly boasted of being the ‘Worlds Largest Democracy’ (thanks to our population) and sometimes as the ‘Oldest Democracy’, we never got to say as the ‘Worlds Best Democracy’.

I also encountered the nation, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’ (DPRK) usually known as North Korea. The world termed the nation as dictatorship, many spoke and wrote about cult of personality around the Kim family and its human right abuses along with censorships. A nation which identified itself as Democratic and Republic is termed as Dictatorial? For a nation to be Democratic, elections (of some form) are a must. So I went on to find ‘Elections in DPRK’ and I got the answers.

Some key points to note:

• Elections are held every five years
• All citizens 17 and older, regardless of party affiliation, political views, or religion, are eligible to be elected to the legislature and vote in elections
• Turnout is near 100%

Looks perfect for a democracy, Now lets look at the results.

2026 North Korean parliamentary election result

This makes one wonder, where is opposition, where is dissent. The essence of democracy is opposition and dissent, which seems to be totally missing in this nation. Just holding elections to show the world does not make a nation democratic.

While information about the Election Commission or the body conducting elections in DPRK is not much in public domain, thanks to their censorship, we can estimate the reasons and use cases.

On 23rd September 2026, Indian Express journalist Ritika Chopra reported extensively on the Election Commission of India, the Central government and public policy issues, she triggered a massive nationwide debate with multi part investigative series. She highlighted  that the two Election Commissioners had objected on record 14 times in 10 months over being kept in the dark regarding crucial systemic actions, such as voter list modifications.

Following it, Leader of Opposition, Hon MP Shri Rahul Gandhi held a presentation for the media and highlighted how anti-incumbency existed for many years, but has taken a backseat since 2014. He drew parallels with Saddam Hussien – Iraq and North Korea, clearly stating that anti-incumbency is fundamental pillar of a democratic nation. Universal Adult Franchise is the foundation of a country, and if the vote is highjacked, robbed, manipulated or the election process is rigged, the idea of democracy collapses. He clearly held the Election Commission, specially the Chief Election Commissioner Mr. Gyanesh Kumar, accused them to attack and destroy the idea of India. He went on to say that the laws made recently are illegal.

Key points he presented

1. Law passed to make Election Commission immune to investigation, the Indian Legal System.
2. His dissent letter asserting – the process to choose the Election Commission and the Chief Election Commissioner should be free from executive interference, to have an independent Election Commission. Impling that the current EC is not independent.
3. The LoP, also presented his investigative outcomes, again.
4. He loudly states that the other two Election Commissioners are indirectly saying- ‘ The vote does not exist in India, anymore’

Its clear, we are not a democracy anymore. The collective faith of the people in elections has been steadily declining since last few years.

1. Rahul Gandhi has held multiple press presentations -Vote Chori
2. Markadwadi Village in Maharashtra attempting mock re-poll
3. Social Media videos shot in polling booths
4. Mass Boycott of elections – Manibeli, Maharashtra and Delhi Village
5. Delayed results on counting date for some constituencies

Many people, who choose not to vote said one line – Aayega to Modi hi. One can read it as popularity but the reading between the lines is that everything is ‘fixed’, its useless to vote.

As the X handle @Joydas posted, ….Some people saying Opposition should boycott elections. In reality, what will happen is that all Opposition will boycott elections, the Ruling Party will put multiple independent candidates in all seats, EC will say there are candidates contesting, so elections are happening and Court will say we can’t force anyone to participate in elections, you all voluntarily decided to boycott what can we do. In the end, the Ruling Party will win almost all seats, have official legitimacy and pass whatever bills they want. They can even junk the constitution.

Rahul Gandhi, has a lot of faith in People of India, he hopes for justice will be served. But do the people of India have faith in Elections and Democracy, that’s the larger question. A nation used to be ruled by small feudal lords, kings of princely states, add caste and patriarchy, embraced Democracy as a Republic in 1950s, something foreign to most people. The people of this nation were used to be suppressed suddenly had a voice – a vote.

The parallels of Modi’s India and DPRK (North Korea) are lots:

• Centralisation of political power
• Strong leader image
• Leader-focused political communication
• Media environment
• Political dissent
• Cultivation of national identity
• Use of state narrative
• Criticism of the leadership can result in severe punishment
• and now – Elections

What made the 2022 – Nirbhaya protests a success was that it was leaderless. Same goes with the Shaheen Bagh / Anti-CAA movement, the Farmers’ movement, or the recent Cockroach movement. The Dalits in Maharashtra have been leaderless since 1956, yet they are a strong force, thanks to their street politics and marking presence everywhere. India has a history of leaders being compromised. Leaders can be jailed or assassinated. If there is no leader, the movement is difficult to control, manage and predict.

Now its up to us, We the People of India, to awaken and act or migrate to Democratic People’s Republic of India.

Regards n Wishes

Vivek Sakpal
+91 9004308889