MANDATORY VOTING? Certainly no, no in a democracy. It would be akin to going back to the Dark Ages. You can take a horse to water but can’t force it to drink. Agree, low voter turnout is something disappointing for candidates but it would be unfair to force a voter to vote!
With Delhi going Mumbai way yesterday (May 7), chances are it would adversely affect the pre-poll scenario in Punjab during the fifth and the final phase of the General Elections tomorrow.
Now the question arises, what ails the Indian voter? What makes him so callous and angry? Is he ignorant or feigning ignorance? Has all the high profile poll campaign fallen on his deaf ears?
Well, the answers are not too difficult to seek. Have a look:
1. Lack of basic civic amenities: Regular water supply, electricity and sanitation have always been the issues, which a common man has been demanding all these years but his local governments have failed him miserably. The tax-paying public always cries hoarse about these basic human necessities but the officials concerned have paid no heed to it.
2. Costly education: With the level of education going from bad to worse in Government schools, nowadays good education is only available in public schools. Sadly enough, even public schools too are getting out of the reach of an average parent. These elite schools are resorting to fee-hikes at the drop of a hat.
3. Rising prices: No Government has so far been successful in curbing inflation and rising prices of essential commodities. It is becoming increasingly difficult for an average housewife to run his house. Now, things have gone out of control.
4. No Social security: The unorganized sector is the hardest hit with companies resorting to job cuts as a result of global meltdown. Agree, they can do little about it but our Government should step in. The need of the hour is for some kind of social security for the citizens so that a common man doesn’t have to worry in a crisis situation.
5. Rising lawlessness: Today, an average citizen prefers to go to the media than to a police station in an event of a criminal activity.
Our law enforcement agencies have miserably failed to win the hearts of their citizens. Rising incidents of crimes, especially against women, is something a cause for concern.
6. Corruption and lack of accountability: Today, you can’t get your work done in any Government office without greasing the palms of the officials concerned. You are made to run from pillar to post. In India, to procure a driving license, a ration card or a voter card is considered hell of a job. Government officials simply don’t care because they are not going to lose their jobs for not working. Passing the buck is there favourite pastime!
On the flip side, everything is not lost yet. Democracy in India is still alive. Shortly, would-be elected MPs will get another chance to ‘serve’ their countrymen. Hopefully, they have already seen the writing on the wall and would help save the country from possible anarchy. As they say in cricket, if top order collapse is saved, the middle order will take care of itself. Amen!
