ABSTRACT
Political transition in South Asia remains a major challenge, especially in the countries where institutionalization of democracy remains nascent. The institutional structures, crucial for strengthening democracy, remain highly politicized. The judiciary, election commission and media remain heavily politicized, and space for oppositional politics has largely shrunk. The future of democracy looks bleak, but it must be underlined that some of the countries of South Asia have also witnessed prolonged military rule, and in some, the military remains a dominant factor in political transition. Electoral politics is now integral to democratic transition, providing hope for a democratic future. This article argues that though institutionalization of democracy is a work in progress, there is a significant public opinion against military rule as South Asia copes with the democratic transition.
