Election Commissioner OP Rawat says winning election at all costs has become top priority in today's politics

Election Commissioner OP Rawat on Friday said winning elections at any cost has become a priority of political leaders.

Rawat said democracy thrives when elections are free, fair and transparent. But, it seems cynical to a common man when it is observed that political leaders put effort to win elections at all costs by excluding ethical practice, he said. 

The election commissioner said poaching of legislators is extolled as smart political management these days. He said political parties also use the strategic introduction of money for allurement and tough-minded use of state machinery for intimidation.  

...we have been scripting narrative that places maximum premium on winning at all costs to the exclusion of ethical considerations: OP Rawat pic.twitter.com/zJHDof3qer

— ANI (@ANI) August 18, 2017

"In this narrative, poaching of legislators is extolled as smart political management.strategic introduction of money for allurement, tough-minded use of state machinery for intimidation, all commended as resourcefulness," Rawat said. 

#WATCH: Election Commissioner O P Rawat speaks about the "creeping new normal of political morality". (August 17) pic.twitter.com/rYiqdD5MBW

— ANI (@ANI) August 18, 2017