SUNDAY, MAY 05, 2024
Blaise Costabir
It is once again time for us to carefully consider and select a candidate to serve as our representative in Parliament. The current administration intends to transition to a system where this decision is made every five years. However, until that change is implemented, we must participate in the electoral process whenever we are called upon to do so. The upcoming event we are preparing for is the general election of 2024.
One significant deterrent to voting is the perceived futility of the exercise. For instance, an individual may cast their vote for candidate "X," only to witness them switch political affiliations post-election. This reality underscores the importance of advocating for an anti-defection policy, wherein elected officials are required to resign and seek re-election under a new party banner. Looking ahead, this should be the prevailing approach. In the current context of parliamentary elections, changing political allegiances may prove challenging. Nevertheless, transitioning between major blocs such as the NDA and I.N.D.I.A remains an option.
Exercising our right to vote is a fundamental aspect of our constitutional responsibility. It is imperative that we participate in the electoral process. The Election Commission has prominently displayed billboards featuring Sachin Tendulkar, urging all citizens to cast their votes on the 7th of May 2024. Furthermore, the leader of the Catholic community in Goa, Cardinal Ferrao, has not only emphasized the importance of voting to the members of his congregation but has also advised them against embarking on a pilgrimage to Vailankanni scheduled for the 6th of May. He reassured them that they can undertake the pilgrimage at a later date. Strangely, this free pilgrimage is sponsored by the Government.
The apathy of the younger generation towards the electoral process is evident in the low registration of first-time voters across the country, this is a matter of concern. As the “future” of our nation, it is crucial to engage and inspire the youth to participate actively. Present-day youth require a compelling reason to be motivated, and the lack of competition in elections may be a deterrent. However, the responsibility of mobilizing young voters cannot solely rest on political parties; the Election Commission and civil society must also recognize and address this issue constructively. It is imperative to encourage youth to take part in the democratic process. Personally, I humbly urge the youth to exercise their right to vote and contribute to the selection of the Government of India.
There are three major factors: Party, Manifesto and Candidate to consider when deciding whom to vote for.
Party: In the realm of politics, there exists a diverse array of parties vying for representation on a national scale. These parties range from those with a widespread presence, such as national parties, to those with a more localised focus, such as regional parties and independent candidates. It is crucial, at this juncture, to carefully consider supporting a candidate affiliated with a party that wields significant influence in shaping the composition of the Central Government. Independent candidates or those aligned with minor regional parties, if elected, risk being marginalized within the parliamentary framework. Oftentimes, candidates seek nomination from one party, only to pivot to another or run independently if unsuccessful. Beware of those who have abruptly switched allegiances from long-held party affiliations to new ones, driven primarily by self-serving motives. Such individuals lack any genuine ideological ties to their newfound party; their allegiance is merely a matter of convenience and is subject to change at a moment's notice.
Manifesto: National political parties state in their manifesto what they intend to do across the country, should ideally act as a compass once elected, while regional or independent candidates are not would not be able to do so. Unfortunately, this crucial document often loses its significance as parties fail to provide an accountability report on their performance in comparison to the promises made in the previous election manifesto. Instead, it is commonly used as a tool to criticize opponents during election campaigns. Hopefully one day it will be sacrosanct.
Candidate: The most important criteria. The well-respected Election Commissioner, once imparted his wisdom on the matter of selecting your candidate. He advised that one should approach the decision as if you were selecting a son-in-law to wed your daughter. Ensuring that the candidate possesses honorable qualities and virtues is crucial, while minor imperfections may be forgiven. However, significant flaws such as a criminal record would be unacceptable for the union. Should one find all options lacking, the Commissioner suggested taking the bold step of running for office oneself.
This election pertains to the position of Member of Parliament (MP), whose primary responsibility is to engage in parliamentary discussions aimed at formulating policies and legislation to enhance the state of affairs in India. MPs are not tasked with addressing local matters; that falls under the purview of MLAs. Therefore, it is imperative that your chosen candidate possesses the necessary knowledge and eloquence to effectively communicate in Parliament. Merely raising one's voice in a televised debate or on a street corner is inadequate. A solid educational background would undoubtedly be advantageous in this regard.
In Govandi, Mumbai, constituents have crafted a manifesto outlining their desired actions, which they will require candidates to sign an affidavit in order to secure their votes. The consequences for non-compliance are severe; if all candidates refuse to endorse the manifesto, voters are encouraged to opt for "NOTA" (None of the Above). While this sends a message, it ultimately amounts to a wasted vote. For example, if 99 voters select NOTA and only 1 chooses candidate X, X will still emerge victorious. Therefore, the more prudent choice is to select the most suitable candidate from those on the ballot. Do not waste your vote.
Statistics, figures, and deceitful misinformation, unfortunately, have become the scourge of election propaganda with the aid of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and social media, further exacerbated by the rapid dissemination through internet platforms. It is imperative not to unquestionably trust all information encountered, unless it is corroborated by reputable newspapers or established publications. It is advisable to verify and critically analyze before embracing any given information.
Information regarding your candidate can be obtained from the website of the "Association For Democratic Reforms" (www.adrindia.org). This organization is dedicated to cleansing the political system.
Make an informed decision regarding whom you vote for. Organise discussion groups within your local community to weigh the pros and cons. Remember that your vote carries significant weight and importance. India needs your VOTE and when you do, think of INDIA FIRST.
(The author prefers to write rather than chat in a balcao)
