Why should we vote?

It is hilarious that you sit behind closed doors for a “ dialogue” that would decide our fate and the fate of our children. How do we know that you are not discussing your respective “benefits” We trust you no more. I can guess what your answers would be. You will both threaten us about the grave situation that will arise if the “dialogue” failed. In fact, by saying that you are both confessing that you are very dangerous people. And we need to vote for some dangerous people to demonstrate our democratic responsibilities. What a fate for us!

In addition to close door “negotiations”, both of you are holding rallies and public meetings; therefore, we would assume that you probably want our support. I use the word assume, because in most of your actions, it has been evident that you probably do not know who we are, nor do you care. We are the faceless, nameless “public”. Well, let us also remind you that we are those small people who elect you and help you to attain your place of “fame” and “honour”.

Reverting to my question, why should we vote? What exactly will you change for us? What are you planning to do with our lives and our children's? Do you have well thought out plans? If you have any plans that are for our benefit, explain them to us. Please tell us in concrete terms how you will take care of the corruption, price hike, power cuts, and all other problems that plague our lives. Do not just tell us “what” you plan to do but “how” you plan to do things and by “when” you plan to achieve them in short and long term. We have been hearing all kinds of flowery promises for so many years, it is time for results. In fact, neither of you have duly explained to us how you would like to work for the benefit of the “public” and how you plan to show the results. You talk about us as if you know our problems. You speak at us in public meetings with meaningless promises that evaporate in thin air. The problem is, as soon as you attain the stature of a “political leader” by whatever means, you think you know everything about what is beneficial for the public. You have not yet talked to us. It is time you started doing that.

You probably think we were too simple minded to understand intricate matters. Believe me, we would understand! We would understand because it affects our lives, and perhaps our lives only. When the law and order situation deteriorates, our children are unsafe. When there is no electricity, our children cannot study in the evening. When the costs of things increase, we have to cut down our consumption. When the education, medical services are unavailable, we suffer. We are not all dim-witted also. What we would want to know is whether you know how to do your job, which is to ensure our rights.

In such a state, people like me, who are living lives numbed and crippled with fear of tyranny, have nothing to do. However, if there is an election, why do we have to vote unless we are absolutely convinced it will bring real change? If we do not turn up to vote, there is every possibility that someone else will put a seal on a ballot paper in my place. Therefore, I think we should go to the polling booth and stamp on an edge of the ballot paper as a mark of our dissent. How worse can it become, we are living in hell anyway!