Former CEC urges stronger democracy protection globally

Former Chief Election Commissioner TS Krishnamurthy has released a new book titled "Beyond the Ballot". He emphasizes the urgent need to protect democracy in light of various troubling trends. In the book, Krishnamurthy discusses the relationship between corporate funding and political parties. He argues that this connection should end, stating it creates a harmful "nexus" that affects fair elections. He believes political parties should regularly disclose their funding sources to increase transparency. Another concern highlighted in the book is foreign intervention in elections. Krishnamurthy describes this as a "serious threat" to vulnerable democracies. He notes that these interventions often involve misinformation campaigns that change voting patterns but do not rely on military force. During his time as Chief Election Commissioner from 2004 to 2005, Krishnamurthy stated there were no obvious foreign interventions. He suggests today's environment is different, with growing influence from outside entities. He calls for more attention to be paid to these issues for the sake of national security and the future of democracy. Krishnamurthy’s book covers several topics including the management of elections, governance of political parties, and the need for a rule of law. He presents recommendations aimed at strengthening democratic processes worldwide.