The expansion of autocratization is linked to a severe downsizing of substantive democracy that includes tolerance for dissent, independence of media, religious freedoms etc. But autocratization has procedural implications too in the sense that even the minimal features of a democracy such as holding regular, peaceful and fair elections becomes a challenge.
Autocratization in contemporary times has shown itself to be tolerant of political institutions. Research highlights that rather than dismantling institutions, autocratizing regimes come to exercise a firmer control over them. Institutions become extensions of executive power and there is an erosion of institutional autonomy. Moreover, the social and ideological polarisation that results from autocratization has its own impact upon free institutional functioning - institutions start mirroring the polarised politics and ideological inflexibility of political leaders rather than maintaining an impartial stance. For instance, the electoral institutions often ignore the misconduct of ruling parties, the judiciary also overlooks such electoral malpractices and the political opposition bears the brunt of institutional high-handedness. The possibility of violence between political groups, where the incumbent is unwilling to give up office and the opposition is mounting a political challenge, is often present. Control over state institutions gives the ruling party/parties disproportionate hold over power disturbing the political equilibrium and affecting institutional response. This is a scenario which not only affects deeply divided societies, but also those that do not have a history of deep divisions. Holding elections in such an environment becomes difficult which affects the quality of democracy.
Autocratization thus creates stress for institutional functioning. One also witnesses that the political ecosystem displays aggressive behaviours, election campaigns become vitriolic and citizen-voters display mutual hostility or insecurity. The panel aims to bring out the implications of holding elections amidst stressful institutional and political functioning in a growing autocratic environment. It invites papers that explore the work of the electoral administration (or electoral institutions) as also political parties related to election preparation, campaigning, political language and mobilisational drives in a setting of democratic dilutions.
