Next govt has to undo power-grab that has hijacked India's institutions

Modi prides himself on his image as a strong and decisive leader and, like many others before him, he seems to think that independent institutions stand in the way of strength and decisiveness

India’s long and exhausting general election is almost over. One of its casualties has been the reputation of the Election Commission of India, the constitutionally independent body that oversees the polls.

For decades, the commission -- presided over by three former civil servants -- has had a reputation for enforcing the relatively strict rules governing Indian election campaigns impartially and firmly. But, in this election, it’s been accused of favoring the incumbent government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The election calendar, the opposition alleges, was set up to favor Modi’s party; the commission failed to take down a rule-breaking channel