The voting turnout percentage in the recent Lok Sabha elections was observed to be the lowest than the elections in 2014. Chennai recorded around 59% of votes only. Each day we keep complaining about issues in our city or country. We are desperately expecting change. But we do not recognize and appreciate that ‘voting’ is a change agent.
Section 62 under Representation of People’s Act, 1951, talks about the right to vote. An individual entered in the electoral roll is entitled to vote in that constituency. It also exemplifies on who should not vote and when votes would turn void. Right to vote is recognized as a legal right and not a fundamental right.
For instance, let us consider the board and annual meetings of the corporates. Agendas or proposals are put forward during those meetings and the opinions of the shareholders or board members are obtained either by show of hands or ballot voting. It signifies the interest of market players towards their business. When there is a need for suffrage to even decide any move in business, is it not wise to practice the same at macro level for the benefit of the society and the world?
An individual’s vote may not bring a difference. But the national feel should not be left at stake. When the opinion of individuals become a national attitude, change and development would become a consequential factor.
It is also important to make right choices. Public should be able to arrive at a reasonable decision. They should be well informed. They must equip themselves by critically analyzing and voice their support through vote for a better prospect. For the recent Lok Sabha Elections, there were enormous information before us on various media platforms including Facebook so as to educate us about the candidates in our constituency. Details of many independent candidates did circulate in our midst. Yet, we narrowed our view point. We still acknowledge the existence of only two major parties.
However, right to vote should be considered as a responsibility. Lawmakers considered voting as honor to the citizens and thus came up with such a framework. We are supposed to hold on to the system as there is nothing beyond law and our democracy is ‘of the people, by the people and for the people’.
Voting in Democracy
Can we recollect the definition of democracy? Let us give emphasis to the phrase ‘by the people’ forming part of that definition. It is evident that the idea of democracy also revolved around ‘right to vote’. Waiving off the right would jeopardize the existence of our democracy.Provisions related to vote by law
Article 326 of the Indian Constitution talks about suffrage and details who can be the registered voter. There was a sixty-first amendment which came up in the year 1989 entitling the citizens above the age of 18 years to vote. Initially, it was 21 years.Section 62 under Representation of People’s Act, 1951, talks about the right to vote. An individual entered in the electoral roll is entitled to vote in that constituency. It also exemplifies on who should not vote and when votes would turn void. Right to vote is recognized as a legal right and not a fundamental right.
Need for suffrage
Suffrage is defined as the privilege of voting. One popular historical event that could help us understand the need for suffrage is the Suffrage Movement in the US. The objective revolved around the right of women to vote in the elections.For instance, let us consider the board and annual meetings of the corporates. Agendas or proposals are put forward during those meetings and the opinions of the shareholders or board members are obtained either by show of hands or ballot voting. It signifies the interest of market players towards their business. When there is a need for suffrage to even decide any move in business, is it not wise to practice the same at macro level for the benefit of the society and the world?
Voting and expression
Is it not important to voice out your opinion? Law does not mandate the citizens to vote. However, we keep debating and fighting about the freedom of expression and we do not want to express our voice when it comes to elections. Especially in urban, Election Day is treated a rest day or a vacation. When we complain about our government, is it not our right to critically analyze and choose the party and hold ourselves responsible towards the state and the country.An individual’s vote may not bring a difference. But the national feel should not be left at stake. When the opinion of individuals become a national attitude, change and development would become a consequential factor.
Need to choose wise
Our country has the largest population of youngsters and our constitution entitles individuals above the age of 18 to vote. Primarily, youngsters should turn up to vote as they are the future citizens. Their population percentage would surely leave a huge impact on the elections.It is also important to make right choices. Public should be able to arrive at a reasonable decision. They should be well informed. They must equip themselves by critically analyzing and voice their support through vote for a better prospect. For the recent Lok Sabha Elections, there were enormous information before us on various media platforms including Facebook so as to educate us about the candidates in our constituency. Details of many independent candidates did circulate in our midst. Yet, we narrowed our view point. We still acknowledge the existence of only two major parties.
Lamenting part: Voter’s list
Voter’s list plays a key role as it decides the eligibility of an individual to vote over the Constitution of India or the Representation of People’s Act. Procedures to obtain the voting slip after verification at the pooling booth is itself a gargantuan task. Presently, the slip was made available online as a factor of relief. Yet, not all citizens could get access to internet. One another saddening pert is that many citizens do not own voter ID. Dereliction of the government as it did not emphasis on this rather than Aadhar could also be a resultant factor. Had we been pulled to a situation to link our Voter’s ID to all our bills, we all would own a Voter ID. Also, not all applicants has received their voter ID which is also negligence on the part of the government.However, right to vote should be considered as a responsibility. Lawmakers considered voting as honor to the citizens and thus came up with such a framework. We are supposed to hold on to the system as there is nothing beyond law and our democracy is ‘of the people, by the people and for the people’.
