[alephnerd]

In India, elections can be flipped by margins of only a couple thousand voters.

This is why enforcement might be lax. Local enforcement doesn't want to mess with small businesses or unions (eg. Auto rickshaw unions) lest they lose their seat.

Stuff like this will continue to happen for 2 generations (and maybe even longer). Look at China as an example, and even South Korea. They are 15 and 40 years ahead of India respectively and even they have had issues Food and Drug safety to this day.

[otikik]

I am no political expert, but “my opponent is harming your children’s health” seems like it can move some votes.

[alephnerd]

And then a week later news comes out that your opponent was implicated in similar dodgy dealings.

In a local election in India, you'll be seeing around 7-8 different parties and 4-5 additional independent candidates running for a seat.

Generally, a "landslide victory" for a seat might be 30% of total votes at most.

With margins so low and elections so expensive (candidates for local elections now spend around $5-$15 million [0]), this means you need to make sure to find a way to not make enemies.

[0] - https://theprint.in/opinion/does-india-need-a-ceiling-on-ele...