To vote or not to vote - The big Question!!!

With the country heading towards the largest electoral exercise in the world, more than 75 crore Indians will decide the fate of who will govern the country over the next 5 years. And with every passing day, the campaigns are reaching newer levels.

I was in CCD yesterday, when I overheard a conversation from the next table. They were discussing on whether to vote or not to vote. With the type of the public that generally frequents these types of outlets in the country, the discussion was not surprising. Having overheard a few of their thoughts, I just couldn’t smile. We too picked up the same topic and started discussing among ourselves. And the slow service at CCD, in fact gave us enough time to ponder across lengths and breadths of the topic.

The fundamental question which runs in every teenagers mind is whether we should go out and vote in the elections at all. And most of the people who have just acquired their voting rights, unlike me (I was very excited about my first vote in any general election), seem to be over pessimistic about voting. The common reasons given are, the candidates who stand for the elections are not capable enough, there is so much of corruption around, one vote is not going to make any difference to the crores of votes, what’s the point in going and voting when the accessibility to the leaders (or rather representatives) of the people is literally not there and so on and so forth.

The point is not that. I consider voting as a duty rather than a right. More than anything, as responsible citizens of a country, we all should vote. According to me, it’s totally wrong to talk in the air, without being able to justify things. During our debate, one of us told that most of the people who contest elections are all school drop outs and illiterate. But that was a gross understatement. We have ample number of qualified people and by qualified I mean people with real good educational background. We have people with basic graduation degrees to MBA’s from Wharton and Yale and PhD’s from Stanford and Harvard. Of course I do agree that there are people who are illiterate who contest for the elections, but then I am pretty sure that their number can be counted with the fingers.

Coming to the point of educated people being in politics, as long as the people are able to conduct themselves well, as long as they are able to understand life better, and as long as they are able to administrate decently, there is no real need for these big degrees. After all education is supposed to do only this!!

Often candidates standing for the elections are termed as incapable of the job and so on. But majorities of the people, who make these statements, are actually not even aware who is contesting the elections from their area. So how can anyone generalize the statement of candidates being incapable? Of course there will be a fair share of people belonging to that category also. But the best thing to do is find out a bit about the candidates and vote for the most capable person.

Now there is every chance that all are incapable. It does happen. And this is where our system fails. At least earlier, with manual ballots, one had the option of registering an invalid vote, thereby not electing anyone. But with the advent of EVM’s that option is ruled out now. I have read a couple of forwards about provisions being in the constitution for not voting for any candidate, but still registering a vote. I don’t know how far this is actually true. Maybe some research in this area would do some good.

I often come across people who crib about lack of amenities, poor infrastructure in terms of roads, water etc, and corruption in the system etc. What we all fail to understand is that we are a part of the system too. And if the system has a problem, we are a part of the problem. And when we are the part of the problem, part of the solution also lies with us. I always advise people who always complain, to try the system first, and then comment on it. I had this boss of mine, who always used to say, “Unless you have tried something, don’t even say that things are not possible”. I completely agree with him. If you have tried and failed, then you have every right to talk. But without any efforts, talking in the air is actually ridiculous.

Who says there is no system in the country? The system may be delayed, but it still is there. It may be painfully slow, but its there. Or else how would you even explain the powers that the Election Commission is able to execute in enforcing the Model Code of Conduct during the election time. 15 years ago, this was unthinkable. Now, anyone who violates the code stands the sure chance of getting booked under law. What happens next is a different question. But the point I am trying to make, is that things are changing in India, and they are definitely changing for the good.

Many more examples like these can be given, but the essence of these is very simple. India today, is definitely far better than what it was during our parents’ days. And as people of a society, it’s our bounden duty to make it even better for the next generation to live. And believe me it’s not difficult. One classic example I can quote here is that of the massive campaign launched by “Jaagore” in enrolling eligible people in the voters list. Something which has been conceptualized and implemented by some common man like us? If someone can do it, why not us? We only have to introspect, and as ourselves the question. We need to understand that, unless we change, we cannot expect the world to change. I too used to voice the same pessimistic opinions till a few years back. Then I realized that this is simply not the way.

On a concluding note, I would like to emphasize on the fact that, just as in other cases, if you don’t perform your duties, you won’t be eligible for your rights; if you do not vote, you have no right complaining whatever happens in your society. Be it as small an issue as frequent power cuts or as big an issue as a terror attack on your city.