While taking part in polls or abstaining from it is the prerogative of an individual or an organisation, resisting it can never be an option for anyone who has the faintest belief in democratic politics. If, under given circumstances, one opts for refraining from contesting election, one must not go against the fundamental principle of democracy and election.
It is true, election at any level, even the national election, is not the totality of democracy but it is no doubt the most important institution for managing the state affairs. Democracy becomes meaningless without elections. Those who want to promote democracy must take part in election and strengthen it.
Without popular votes there is no other way of electing people’s representatives. So, only those can try to resist elections who do not believe in the philosophy of people’s mandate. There may be differences of opinion over how to hold a free, fair and credible election but those do not allow anyone to take a position fundamentally opposed to democratic election.
So long the democratic principle of popular vote is adhered to, the question as to whether any individual or organisation wants to take part in election does not arise. Likewise, there can be no question of bringing or inviting one to take part in election; it is a matter of principle that they will voluntarily take part in polls. Even if it is not possible for any quarter to take part in election at a certain moment, it must not deviate from the obligation of making election a success and strengthening it.
Every time a national election comes closer, apprehensions and rumours are rife whether this or that political force is going to take part in election or boycotting and resisting it. It only means that democracy in the country is yet to be fully institutionalised after such a long period since the independence. It is a painful reality. Every stakeholder should take part in election and make sincere efforts to bring the country’s democracy out of this sorry state of affairs.