Thursday 1 April 2010

Why should we vote? When should we vote?

This note is just a thought over the voting process.
Election for the Bangalore mahanagara palike was over two days ago. The voting percentage was low 48%. Statistics through the years show that it never went above 50%. Now the Government is mulling over a law to make voting compulsory. Is it the need of the hour? Can a government do so in this democratic set up? If yes what will be the outcome?

Yes, i know the parties are going red over the low voter turnout because they won't get a clear majority to rule. One more thing nowadays the citizen group is gaining strength in this city of opportunities and their voice is hard to unheed. So, what the politicians and those in power say, when you talk about what politicians should do, you should do your duty first. It means when you talk about your right you should also do your duty. Fair enough! no doubt about it.. We, the citizens have to do our duty first - select the right candidate.  But how?

One question to those who say so... why people are not voting? Is it because they don't have time.. or is it because they lost faith.. If it is the latter who is to blame? They say one reason for the low voter turnout is that the younger generation are not voting, they give a damn for the politics of the State  or country. If it is true it is a sad proposition for our democratic process. India pride ourselves as the largest and oldest democratic country in the world. If our democratic set up tumbles down there is nothing else to replace it for sure.
Even then, i feel  voting is a personal choice, it should not be forced upon. We are a democratic society , if such a law comes up what will be the difference between us and an authoritarian society. instead we should make the system clear so that people regain the faith in it.once it is done am sure the voters will come back. Let us have a look at the existing system.

OK. let us first agree that the younger generation is moving away from politics? if we have a problem at hand we need a solution , right? so, where is the solution? For me the solution is very evident.. just look at the politicians we have at the higher pedestals of democracy and their age, and of course the kind of politics they play, the commotion they make? Are they doing it for the country, state, voters??? SADLY,  NO... THEY ARE NOT. THEY ARE DOING IT FOR THEIR BENEFIT.
Whatever politicians do they do it to be in power, nothing else matters to them. If they had concern for the people would there be the same old , corrupt and criminal candidates?If any honest person wants to stand for election he is cramped for money because the parties have enough financial backing, especially those in power. And sometimes people vote because they are scared of those contesting.. because even though a small fish these politicians can make their life hell. It is not straight from the movies, it is a reality.

Now those who side with the politicians can say that they fight for you in the assembly. Unfortunately, we believed them till recently. But when the electronic media started reporting live from the higher seat of democracy we realised what they are doing and  fighting for, right? and i don't have to tell you what is it? So, do you think after seeing all these do you expect the people to come out in huge numbers and vote? it is not the politics people hate it is this real politiks.

Do you think we are spoilt for choice when it comes to voting , unfortunately no.. the sad truth is that we don't have a choice. The colour of the flag, the symbols, they all may change, but the core is the same. Whichever party you go to the people you have to vote for are the same. At least there is a consensus among the political parties on this matter- fielding the wrong candidates. I read in the newspaper, there should be a provision to come to the booth and reject all the candidates present. That is a good idea. Can we try it once.. Like vote for A, B, C, or none of the above... good idea, especially for the computer savvy generation. I think if this option is there the voting percentage may go up drastically. Let us do it once- on a trial and error basis...Can we??

Now,  i would like all of you to think...We are a democracy for the past 60 + years. With that in mind just look around us impartially, critically... what have we achieved.. we still bask in the glory of our old culture when the new entrants to the block are moving ahead and progressing.Take the Latin American countries and Eastern European countries. They were unheard of in the last decade, but now they are competing with us- the oldest democracy and the next super power.. phew....

We have been fooled for long. You may fool one for sometime, not all at all times. This is a transition phase in our democracy. People have seen through the politicians, started reacting to them.. but still searching for a new order to counter it. They first step is taken... the next step will follow. Give a little time for that solution to emerge.. it is just round the corner... have faith..

In the meantime we can clean the system for a change.  Ponder over these points.
1. Let us have a project plan for our candidates
Let us ask our politicians what they want to do for the country, state, district, taluka etc. depending on which segment the election is for. make them write their plan and the time proposed for the completion of it.The same way we plan a project in the software firms. Then let us monitor the progress and rank them accordingly.Chuck those out who ranks below 5, those between 5 and 7 give them another chance and see how much they improve at the second chance,the same as in our offices. If corporates can work like this why can't the biggest corporate in our country the political offices can't.. what say?? We have some of the corporate heads in the political arena.. let them take care of it..of course with the help of citizen groups.
2. Field new candidates for those who contested for more than three times
I know this is a difficult proposition. Everyone wants a piece of power and the older you grow the hungrier you become.Let us give our seniors some rest, they have worked us for long!!! Now field new bloods, budding politicians. let us see what they are made of.Let us give it a start, once done, it will be easy the next time around.

3. Reject those with criminal and fraudulent backgrounds
I know there is such a rule, but you still find them in our candidate list don't we? Let us honestly implement it.

4.Let us make the voting process clutter free and fast
It is true that we have to vote even if it means one whole working day. It is easy to say, but when you have a lot of work in  hand and a sulking boss in office, it is not that easy. So, let us make the process clutter free and fast. With the help of the new technologies it is not too much to ask for.

4. Let us have one -to- one debates of the candidates instead of speeches and rallies
Instead of the noisy and traffic -blocking rallies and meetings, let us have debates conducted in each ward. let us hear from the candidates first hand and know their views and plans for our area. No speech, just a question answer section with local participation.For the Loksabha elections we can have district wise debates.. How's it?
And for us voters
1. Let us go beyond politics and vote for the candidate- let the best candidate win.

2. Let us reject those who failed us

3. Let us vote for change
4. Let the employees get an hour's time off to vote.. it is not everyday, only once in five years

Hope everyone is listening..
Jai Hind!!

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