From Institutional Stability to Economic Progress: A Comparative Study of Electoral Governance in 'Viksit Bharat' vs. Bangladesh and Pakistan.

Samiul Mondal

Electoral Systems, Political Defection, Viksit Bharat, South Asian Politics, Parliamentary Stability

This study investigates the divergent democratic trajectories of India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan by addressing a central question: How do the legal frameworks governing electoral systems and political defection influence national stability and long-term economic development? Specifically, it examines why India has achieved a degree of institutional continuity ("Viksit Bharat") that remains elusive for Bangladesh and Pakistan. The research employs a qualitative comparative case-study methodology. Its analysis primary legal documents, including the 10th Schedule of the Indian Constitution, Article 70 of the Bangladesh Constitution, and Article 63-A of the Pakistani Constitution. Secondary data is drawn from the 2024 general election reports, World Bank economic indicators, and scholarly critiques from political scientists such as Christophe Jaffrelot and Ali Riaz. This multi-dimensional approach allows for a cross-national synthesis of political and economic variables. The research anticipates three primary findings. First, that India's institutionalized electoral governance acts as a catalyst for "policy continuity," attracting global investment. Second, that Bangladesh's Article 70, while preventing government collapse, creates a "winner-take-all" system that stifles the parliamentary oversight necessary for transparent development. Third, that Pakistan's struggle with "Lotaism" and military intervention creates a "hybrid regime" where short-term political survival precedes long-term economic planning. Ultimately, the study suggests that for Bangladesh and Pakistan to replicate India's developmental path, they must move beyond "procedural democracy" toward "substantive democracy" by empowering independent electoral institutions and reforming laws that restrict legislative dissent.

Volume 14 Issue 1, January-2026

Pages : f653-f662