It is disgusting to note that Bangalore recorded dismal voting percentage yet again. This time it was the BBMP elections and the voting percentage was less than 45%. Even more disgusting is the fact that it is mainly the educated lot which didn't vote. Such performance even after many NGO, RWAs and even the government trying their best to encourage voting! I know a personal friend who has dedicated so much time and energy in encouraging people to vote and I can gauge his disappointment and frustration.
Do these people who don't vote understand how much hard work goes on behind the scenes to ensure that polling is peaceful and successful. My mother in law is a lecturer and she often goes for poll duty. She rued the fact that it took her 2 hours to reach her designated booth last Sunday and to her dismay the turnout was miserable. Her effort has meaning only when people turn up to vote.
Or do these educated, yet ignorant people understand the consequence of not voting? The other section which votes regularly doesn't always vote for the right reasons. Consequently, the wrong people (often thugs, rowdies, caste leaders, rich businessmen with self interests, etc) get elected.
I am at a loss trying to understand why people dont vote. It cant be lack of time. I hardly spent 5 minutes at the voting booth. The election commission has done a remarkable job to ensure that there are enough polling booths so that we dont have to wait in long queues.
Is it the lack of interest? Or simply apathy? In either of these cases, I ask - What do we lose by voting? At the max, 30 minutes of our weekend. We can surely afford to forgo this time for a noble cause once in a while. Also, the person who doesn't vote, loses the moral right to speak anything against this city, state or country and its elected representatives.
I think it is high time we make voting a fundamental part of our life, just like eating or breathing. The elders in the house, I feel, play an important role here. They must educate the younger generation about the importance of voting.
Each of us should understand that every vote counts and even one vote (or the lack of it), can make a huge difference.
Its high time we wake up!
Do these people who don't vote understand how much hard work goes on behind the scenes to ensure that polling is peaceful and successful. My mother in law is a lecturer and she often goes for poll duty. She rued the fact that it took her 2 hours to reach her designated booth last Sunday and to her dismay the turnout was miserable. Her effort has meaning only when people turn up to vote.
Or do these educated, yet ignorant people understand the consequence of not voting? The other section which votes regularly doesn't always vote for the right reasons. Consequently, the wrong people (often thugs, rowdies, caste leaders, rich businessmen with self interests, etc) get elected.
I am at a loss trying to understand why people dont vote. It cant be lack of time. I hardly spent 5 minutes at the voting booth. The election commission has done a remarkable job to ensure that there are enough polling booths so that we dont have to wait in long queues.
Is it the lack of interest? Or simply apathy? In either of these cases, I ask - What do we lose by voting? At the max, 30 minutes of our weekend. We can surely afford to forgo this time for a noble cause once in a while. Also, the person who doesn't vote, loses the moral right to speak anything against this city, state or country and its elected representatives.
I think it is high time we make voting a fundamental part of our life, just like eating or breathing. The elders in the house, I feel, play an important role here. They must educate the younger generation about the importance of voting.
Each of us should understand that every vote counts and even one vote (or the lack of it), can make a huge difference.
Its high time we wake up!
1 comment:
Yes- I think the educated and well-to-do lot take the blame squarely for this. There were websites which told you your exact polling booth and stuff. Citizen convenience was given top priority. And still ..
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