WHY VOTING PERCENTAGE is LESS
WHY
VOTING PERCENTAGE is
LESS
General Election
2019 is currently in full swing. We have had continuous debates on TV,
acrimonious barbs thrown at each other by political parties, rallies by the leaders,
ads in the media etc.,etc.
People take
sides, WhatsApp posts and videos fly about. Close friends and relatives are
found batting for opposite parties. Discussions in get-togethers and chats grow
in volume and time.
There is an appeal
by the government, Election Commission to check your name in the voters list.
First time eligible youth are urged, mobilized to get their name in the voters
list. Camps are held all around to facilitate this.
Polling days
come nearer and everybody from the government, Election Commission, Schools
& Colleges, Corporate ads et-all urges everyone to be a good citizen and
Vote on your polling date.
Polling Day
arrives. All offices, Schools, Colleges, Universities etc are closed. Private
sector is also closed or give hours off to their employees to vote. Markets
also are closed and start opening by evening when polling is over. All this so
that the people vote.
Despite all the awareness
created, facilities given and availed
by the population, we see a dismal record of voting percentage.
In most places
it is reported that only 52.54% or 58.26% or 62.73% or so persons in the voters
list have voted.
The average usually comes to about 58%
Where were the remaining 42% of the persons on the
voters list doing ?
Why have they
not voted ?
On deeper study
it can be safely said that …
About 5% of them are in a different city pursuing
a professional study course, or working there. Were not able to come home town
to vote.
About 5% live in the town, but are on duty
elsewhere on that day. They may be in the railways, on poll duty, on police
duty etc., so could not vote.
About 3% are sick or invalid, either at home or
in a hospital and could not vote.
About 1% are in police custody, jail or on the
run from police and afraid to come to vote lest they are nabbed,
This would total
to 14 to 15%
So 42% –
15% = 27%
What were these 27% persons on the voters list doing
that they did not vote ?
Excuses given by
a certain class of people are …
* Let’s club the
weekend with it and go on a 3 day holiday !
* My driver was
on leave !
* I could drive
and go, but there is no Valet parking. Parking is too far from polling booth
and. I cannot walk that far !
* The servants of the area are in the same queue !
* They put some mark
on the finger, spoiling my nail polish !
* It is too hot
!
* I get up at 5
pm and ready to go out only by 7pm, but the voting has closed by that time !
So there you
are. Some strata of the society votes, but the Snobs & Nouveau Riche have
their excuses.
Observation is correct. Many dont ho to vote because it's a holiday. It seems most of us are really very irresponsible and unaware lot. We think we deserve the best without making any effort.
ReplyDeleteBut I think, riles should be made easy for those who could not vote due to genuine reasons.
Yes, some reforms are required.
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