Change is the only thing that is permanent. Elections as they used to be conducted 30-40 years, are being conducted even today but so differently.

You do not witness open jeeps fitted with hoardings and fitted with public address systems cross crossing different constituencies. They used to distribute printed pamphlets and posters and also carried with them some free give away, including party flags, pins, other election related memorabilia. They used to hire all good announcers and anchors to make public announcements in favour of parties and candidates who had hired them. They were allowed to do campaigning throughout the day but stop after 6 of 8 pm depending upon the instructions of the Returning Officer.

Most of the important candidates and political parties used to put volunteers to run their election offices where information about voters or polling booths used to be made available. At times some candidates even used to distribute food and snacks from their polling offices to their counters.

Gradually controls on spending tightened. Election Commission started appointing Expenditure observers. Since the security environment changed rapidly, candidates no more moved freely. Now they have a team of security guards, both provided by the state and also those engaged privately. School going kids who used to run after jeeps, to gas and rickshaws used for campaigning to collect handbills, posters and pins are no more interested in those drills.

Electioneering is now more on social media or virtual channels than physical as it used to be. Things are changing rapidly but elections are losing some of their excitements as they are becoming more personal and controlled. Number of contestants and voters are increasing but excitement is losing its grip on this festival of democracy!

(Prabhjot Singh is a veteran journalist with over three decades of experience of 14 years with Reuters News and 30 years with The Tribune Group, covering a wide spectrum of subjects and stories. He has covered Punjab and Sikh affairs for more than three decades besides covering seven Olympics and several major sporting events and hosting TV shows.)