Former Chief Election Commissioner of India SY Qureshi is a fan of the electoral system adopted by Nepal. He has been saying that Nepal is ahead in South Asia in terms of proportional and inclusive representation and other countries should be able to follow it. Qureshi, who is partial to liberal and inclusive democracy, is of the opinion that the leadership of the Election Commission and its managerial ability will play an important role in maintaining the credibility of the election.

He also said that social media and artificial intelligence will play a helpful role in making the election process transparent and easy, but their increasing misuse has added challenges to the election system itself.

He came to Kathmandu to participate as a speaker in the 'Kantipur Conclave-2024' organized by Kantipur Media Group. break , Rajesh Mishra and The Kathmandu Post's Vinod Ghimire conversation:  Elections and democracy are interrelated. However, the results of some elections in the world have raised questions about democracy itself. How do you take it? Certainly, democracy and elections are two sides of the same coin. There is no democracy without elections. Elections around the world in the last 10 years show that voters are leaning towards the right. The results of America and India also show the same. Even though our Prime Minister did not get majority in India, he got the mandate for the third term. Therefore, for the last 10-12 years, there is a debate going on all over the world - is democracy on the decline? It is a fact that many democracies have collapsed during this period. Many indices also indicate that democracy is on the decline. However, people's opinion cannot be considered as a threat to democracy. They make decisions according to their preferences. Sometimes they go to the left, sometimes to the right. This cannot be called a threat to democracy. Another fact is that the classification of democracy indices is also different. The situation of democracy is also different. Some are full democracy practices, some are flawed and some are flawed. Somewhere there is also a kind of democracy. There is a practice of authoritarian rule somewhere.  If we talk about India, it is the 11th year of right-wing rule. However, this time they lost some majority. The other two parties have formed the government. In the US, Trump won with a majority, both in the popular and electoral votes. It is suspected that the mandate that he has got can make him more autocratic and dictatorial. How he behaves and how he rules is watched with interest all over the world. I have done a comparative study of democracy in South Asian countries. I am writing a book about it. If we talk about democracy, 40 percent of the world's democracies are in these 8 countries. Therefore, if we talk about democratic governance, this area is very important. However, the question is whether the world's attention has reached towards it. 

India's election experience is very special. We are dealing with all kinds of complexity, not just in size. All the problems in other countries are in India. Despite that, the Election Commission of India has been conducting elections in a reliable manner at the stipulated time.

So there is plenty of opportunity for South Asians to learn and teach from each other. There are places where you can improve your systems by learning from each other. Unfortunately, it lacks the required interactions. Common forums are inactive. If we talk about SAARC, it has become inactive. Forum of Election Bodies of South Asia, which is a joint body of Election Commissions. It played a good role. It should be activated.

Even if you don't want to call the people's opinion a threat to democracy, are the elections becoming a tool for approving majoritarianism instead of strengthening democracy? Do you believe it? 

Yes, the opinion of the people is supreme. If the majority elected the government, they cannot be blamed for that. We are often asked a question, why only rich people are elected in elections. Is democracy only for rich people? A lot of money is spent on elections. For example, 96 percent of elected MPs in India are millionaires.

The law sets spending limits. The objective and principle is to provide equal opportunity to all the candidates. So that any of us can contest elections. However, there are definitely some flaws. First, although spending limits are set for candidates, they are not for parties. This has rendered the spending cap ineffective. You may spend 1 crore but your party may spend 20 crore. And how come there is a single 'level playing field' for everyone? However, some parties in India have contested elections even with little expenses. And sometimes they have won.

So I have a suggestion on this matter. However, some people said that the party's election expenses should come from government funds. I disagree with that. Because a lot of black money is already being used in elections. Now, if the state also gives, it will only add to the current expenses. It is also difficult to monitor the

s and expenses given for elections. It's like a game of cat and mouse. which is always going on. Now financial support to candidates and parties, election expenses and its transparency have become the subject of international debate. About 16 billion dollars were spent on this election in America. Which is the most in American history. So my opinion is that the state should give the parties not election expenses but operational expenses. Because elections and democracy only have meaning if there are parties. 

Political parties are organizations that need financial resources to run. The state can create a fund and give money to the party according to the number of votes it gets. This is a small expense that the state does for democracy. If 70 percent of European countries have this system, it does not mean that we cannot implement it. 

What challenges and opportunities do you see with the expansion of social networks and new media in terms of elections and democracy? 

Social media and new media have really revolutionized the field of communication. Social media is also media in itself. Therefore, the rules applicable to media are also applicable to social media. The rules that apply to newspapers, radio or television in the context of elections should also apply to social media. A code of conduct should also apply to social media. How much are you spending on Facebook campaigning?

should also account for that. So the spending laws apply to social media as well. Although it is difficult to monitor spending on social media now, it will be monitored in the future. The main thing is that what is against the law is against the law. Does it mean that doing the same thing in newspapers and TV is against the law and doing the same thing on social media is not against the law? If someone writes haphazardly in a newspaper, you can go to court. However, it was not possible to write freely on Twitter. Even if you write randomly on social media, you should go to court. Because rumors and confusion play a very big role in elections. It is true that social media has multiplied these problems. Misinformation and content can spread violence in an entire society and country within two/three minutes. 

Social media is not without its positive aspects. Rather than spending on advertising in magazines and TV, you can reach your target audience within seconds through WhatsApp groups. And it's also cheaper because you can send multiple notifications and messages at once. So social media is a double-edged sword. Let's take the example of a knife. It's good if you cut an apple, but if you cut a person? So how we use it is key. Talking about

technology, artificial intelligence – AI (artificial intelligence) has increased the challenge. Deep fake content spread with the help of AI is making the problem worse. Now AI also presents both opportunities and challenges. By using it properly, wrong things can be prevented. Voting can be monitored. Election management may be monitored. These are all good points.

However, the use of the same is being used to spread fraud, hate, and false news. How to stop it? The main concern is whether the challenges and dangers it creates outweigh its benefits. Therefore, the need of the day is for the whole world to come together to prevent artificial intelligence from overtaking human intelligence and conscience. Just like a thief and a monk get into a taxi. What's wrong with the taxi? It depends on the user. 

voting by ballot or machine? There is still a difference of opinion on this matter. Although EVM has been successfully tested in several elections in India, it has not been free from controversy, right? 

EVM was first used in India in 1980 in Kerala. However, a question arose in the court about its use at that time. The court banned the use of 'EVM'. The court looked only at the point of law. Technology was not questioned. At that time, the law only provided for voting by ballot. It wasn't about machines. The court stopped the

which is not in the law. In 1998, the use of EVA was legislated. Since then its use has gained legal validity. It has been 12 years since I retired. However, I have been standing in defense of EVMs continuously. Any machine can be a victim of a cyber attack. This is true. That is the challenge for us. That is why the voting machines should be designed in such a way that they are protected from cyber attacks. Elon Musk has also raised concerns about the machine being hacked. In theory, the use of machines is fine. However, it should be protected. 

The great feature of the machine used in India is that it is not connected to any system via internet, bluetooth or wireless. It is a standalone machine. Like a calculator. The calculator always adds 2 and 2 to make 4. Be it after 5 years or after 10 years. It cannot be manipulated. Our machine is like that. After repeated testing from different angles, the machine is put to the vote. The machine is built with anti booth capture design. For 12 seconds after one vote, the machine will not work. It's not like you can press the bottom 50 times in a minute. It must be activated by the polling officer after 12 seconds each time a vote is taken. The machine is working honestly. Machines have been successfully used in some election areas in Nepal as well. 

It is absurd that a government can win an election by taking control of the machine. If so, those in government want to win every election, don't they? In India, BJP has been in power for the past 10 years with a very strong majority. However, it lost in the states of West Bengal, Karnataka, Punjab, Himachal. While in the opposition, the BJP also did not raise questions about the EVM machine. It is being improved according to the needs and demands.

VVPAT (Voter Verified Paper Audit Trial) has now been implemented in EVMs. In 2009, BJP protested against EVMs. He talked about 'democracy in danger'. It was decided to introduce 'VVPAT' after the question of lack of transparency in the machine was raised. The voter who has voted can be seen on that screen and the receipt will be deposited in a secret box there. Currently, there is a provision to secure both the machine and the box. BJP, which was opposed yesterday, now seems to be a strong supporter of EVMs. Every party has opposed it at one point or another. And, they are also winning elections with this machine. Everything depends on practice. The same is true for Nepal. 

We say that there is a level of increase in the level of consciousness of the people. On the other hand, we are also expressing concern that right-wing people were elected in the election. On top of that, populism is emerging all over the world. What are the reasons behind this? Where is the problem?

is difficult to answer. Why is the whole world tilting towards the right? However, there are some countries like Austria, where it was thought that the right wing would win, but in the end the liberals won. So there are some exceptions. It seems that the people's desire for a permanent government also worked behind the rise of right wing and populism. People want a stable and strong government. Later, the same government was accused of trying to rule with the strength of the majority.

Here too I have heard Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and Nepali Congress and other big parties talking about the stability of the government. Here, the government changes in a short period of time. How does the government run on such instability? Now that is now in the option of such instability, as in India, such as the same prime minister for the third tense. Therefore, the choice of the people cannot be blamed. They want stability and choose a strong government. We must respect their choices. & Nbsp; Still has also issued that

Termity is not able to select the correct representative. Similarly, politicians of the criminal background is also argued that they win the election. When we talk in India, about half (46 percent) have a criminal background while he said. Asking such MPs, we answer that we have chosen to choose the people. When the people do the guilt? & NBSP;

why we choose those with such backgrounds? This debate does not take us anywhere. Such politicians must have done a good job in his constituency, perhaps like Ravin Hood. Either they are at the crime constituency. Of course, most political parties are publicly worrying about how to protect corruption, money, and elections in the election. Expenses expenses should be strict.

is also another important thing is a national constituency. He gets money according to the results of the party. The question of what happens to the new party. That can be seen even in the same way. When the common man was talking about India, the new party came. In such cases, a person is as the first time to take a loan on the bank. The bank seems to look, how serious he is and how serious he is. If a house is to take loan, the bank says why the bank will give money and money. You did the same thing. He operated the public fund. Raised money from a crown fanding. For that, volunteer, successful. If you are part of a hunting for a group, you will be registered in a rich party. & Nbsp; The question arises also with the credibility of the Story-BREA election. Elections be maintained and protect the holiness?

is not a straight answer. We are examining a lot of problems but what is the solution? It is not the answer to its preparation in today's situation. Artificial intelligence can be helpful to find out the mess in electricity. But, it is creating a problem. What to do in that situation? Ax of AI's maximum equipment and we have to come to a place for control the risk of incorporating it. Debate global world is also going on. & NBSP; So far, finally conclusions and squeezing it. How much do you see the role of the Election Commission to maintain the credibility of Story-BREA election? The commission will also lead to reassure the people? & NBSP;

is arising and NBSP, and NBSP; said the leadership of the responsible commission is the highest for that. If the question is up, the commission should be honest and sufficient efforts from the leadership leadership to address it. They have to take it as a challenge. If one person has doubts, we should try to remove it. And, if you flow the necessary information with enough dialog, it is also possible. The Election Commission must be in constant dialog with open, responsible and people and media. & Nbsp; The debate has begun that the electoral system here has problems in the context of Story Chinese. He argues that there is a full proportional system if election expenditure is cut. It is also said that he represents the people of the people. The vote is not even a lawyer that MP will not be a minister of MP. These things apply that if these things in the process of irregularities and misconceptions are controlled. This is the problem of election in the background whether to elect election system? & Nbsp;

are very important. Because it is clearly followed what the system is specified. Laws and regulations should be to follow the regulation. For example, the law is setting a limitation of money spending by the parties. The commission he had to monitor that not implemented without implementation. So we need to gradually improving both systems and management. Both are equally important. • What is Nepal's election system in your eyes? & nbsp; Nepal's constitution is in a highly progressive in recent representatives of

proportional information. In the federal parliament, it is very large for 33 percent of women in the Constituent Assembly in the Constituent Assembly. Women have been pursuing only 10 percent in Parliament in 75 years in the history of 75 years in the history of 75 years. The law has recently been passed in the

in India only 33 percent. It will be implemented from the general election of the 2029. Nepal is in front of South Asia in case of representation. The system adopted by Nepal is good.

is now taking place at the same time in Nepal. If you have a nation, a election is not really saying will be really going to be the constant elections of the president. Would you just illustrate it?

is a very important and sensitive subject. At first glance, there are some benefits. There are also problems together. A MPs of Odisa said, 'Ask the people first.' He wants the people to choose the people. According to him, elections reflect the importance of people. Of course, if elections are elected five years, people will not even find people's representatives even in other times.

is now pasting the poster that my representatives lost. As far as the kingdom is a thing of the resources. I also have different opinions. If it was about to talk about India, only some elections were taken into some states. You cannot make four kingdoms at once and will make the whole country to take the whole country at once. So it took a double standards. This offer is not honest. Since the people's angles are more and not the election regularly, and only politicians will dominate them. That is not wrong with itself. Another important thing is the case from the center to the local level.

Parliament elections have national and international issues. There is a difference in the election of the state (the legitation post) election. Roads of the villagers in the village in the local or the Panchayat election raises the nake of the front nap before the house. At that time, the panel of it (Panchamita) is thought about the head. Is there a topic of Ukraine Wars at that time? Does anyone take that issue seriously? My understanding is ridiculed in my understanding. So all the levels have the importance. All three levels of elections are different for the people. In local elections, the issues that take direct concerns with them grows. & Nbsp;

ri said that the Prime Minister said that national debate and consensus would reach the agreement. That is why the high level committee has been formed. For 10 years, argued but not agreed. In my opinion, I had to give up the subject if I could not argue for ten years. But the government has made a committee made by making a commitment to make a committee, even under the leadership of the president. The recommendations made by the committee are just as funicted. There are basic errors. Also, the election will also be done to gradually be gradually. While the condition is to make it at once. And why is that conditioning violate. If

is no longer any one time, it will be a new election. That is not true evenly correct. The election of a hundred days is the new election. Everything should be managed in new ways. What the story that it is is. If it was holding at once, all elections would be together. However, the committee said that the committee would do to do the Panchayat (Local) Election. After the way, we had to arrange all the election in a hundred days later. This is not as practical in any way. There are both expenses and management with both.

and, if you are to apply this recommendation, it does not mean that elections have elections once. If that is not, why did it cost it now. The election is a matter of efficient management. It should be trustworthy. A nation should also look after the election with the election management, along with the election management. Another thing is the federal country. Every state has a power politics and have their cases. What if the age of Lokpalam's Rules, like Age of Lokava (lower House) is on Fifteen days? Elections again in 28 states that have just arrived? So what I say should not be done by the fact that good is running well. & Nbsp;