Every vote counts.

 

Over the centuries there had been struggles regarding establishment of universal suffrage. The right to vote or ‘universal adult franchise’ as it is termed as, is an indispensable part of democracy. A democracy set-up is absolutely incomplete in absence of voting powers. Voting allows us to elect the government of our choice, best suited to run a state. In most democracies ‘right to vote’ has been assigned to citizens who use it to give out their opinions about different political parties. Irrespective of caste, gender, income, religion, race, ethnicity, political stance citizen of any democratic country, eligible for casting vote, is provided with the voting right. Generally, the value of vote is undermined by several voters, particularly, in hinterlands. The absolute nature of regime is checked by the practice of voting. No party in a democracy can turn out to be of arbitrary character as long as voting is practiced.

At times, as it has been observed, several political parties make attempts to mobilize voters by bringing about policies and programs favoring the core base of the electors. The effort of such parties is to appease the different section of voters and to divide them on communal lines. The electors should be sane enough to read their minds insightfully before they go out to cast their precious votes. As a simple practice, they can read the manifestos released by political parties and question the candidates about the promised enlisted.

The analysis of manifestos would not only make the voters aware but also caution the candidates and parties against making unrealistic promises. Voting enables voters to change the guard if they feel the need. It confers power into the hands of powerless who use it for strengthening the democracy. Aware voters travel far and wide to cast their votes.

A nation, as large as ours, gives its citizens the chance to cast their votes once in every five years. Once elected, a government can run up to a maximum of five years. In between the voters may not get the chance to re-vote and change the incumbent government that is why it becomes pertinent for the voters to cast vote wisely during election and help form a responsive government. The current stats showcase a different trend in voting behavior, contrary to the set pattern. At some places, in the recent years, women voters have outnumbered their men counterparts in casting votes. While this increase in female voters’ turnout is a welcome step in the direction of women empowerment, on the other hand, the slackening of male participation hints towards a need to chalk out a substantial plan.

The collaborators should work upon escalating the awareness about importance of voting. The political parties must imply proper initiation and implementation of the promised as doled out in their manifestos and should try to highlight the significance of being highly participative in the festival of democracy.