Karnataka elections: Why you should vote, and what if you don't want to vote

The state assembly elections in Karnataka on May 10 are just a couple of days away. 

There is now full-throttle campaigning by the two big parties -- BJP, which is in power, and the opposition Congress.

BJP campaign is led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Congress has deployed a battery of both national leaders like its president Mallikarjun Kharge, former party president Rahul Gandhi, general secretary Priyanka Gandhi, as well as regional leaders like the leader of the opposition Siddaramaiah and state Congress president D K Shivakumar.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi leading BJP campaign

What BJP is banking on:

- Oratorical skills and charisma of Narendra Modi.

- Many developmental and social welfare schemes that the current BJP state government and BJP federal government have implemented.

- The hope that people will like the status quo to continue.

Congress leader and former chief minister Siddaramaiah.

What Congress is banking on:

- Allegations of corruption against BJP leaders in the state.

- Perception that BJP is ignoring local issues and sentiments in favour of a national narrative.

- Hope that people would want a change and many previous instances of the incumbent party losing.

WHY YOU SHOULD VOTE

Democracy is not perfect, nor are our democratic governments. But we are certainly lucky that we have that form of governance. 

That's because it gives us the freedom to be who we are and to do what we want to, of course, within the ambit of the law.

If that freedom is misused, the fault is ours and of the system.

In a democracy, we elect our representatives who form the government. So, we have a responsibility to participate in the political process. 

We must come out and vote because it is a fundamental aspect of democracy. When we vote, we are exercising our right to shape our own lives and communities.

On the left is the voting machine and, on the right,
is the VVPAT, a unit to indicate that the vote
has been cast correctly.

WHAT IF YOU DON'T WANT TO VOTE

In India, voting is not mandatory, and many people don't vote. While some places record around 90% polling, there are others that register just about 50%.

Two reasons why people choose not to vote.

One, no candidate is good enough.

Two, elected representatives never do their job well, so there is no point in electing anyone.

'Whom do I vote for?'

It's quite possible no candidate measures up to the electorates' expectations. In such cases, they choose not to vote. 

There is a solution to this problem. You can still vote. 

In 2009, the Election Commission of India introduced an option of "None of the Above" or NOTA in the electronic voting machines. If you choose that, it means you haven't chosen to vote for any candidate.

However, NOTA has no electoral value. If NOTA votes are in the majority, still the candidate who has secured the most votes will be declared the winner. 

There have been suggestions that in such a case, the election should be annulled and fresh voting held.

So far, there has never been an instance when NOTA secured the most votes. But NOTA has always picked up votes. And that does indeed send out a message.

'They are irresponsible'

It's a fact that there is disenchantment with legislators' commitment. Many feel that they are not doing their job well. 

But the counter to that is not we also not doing our job well. 

If someone is irresponsible, that doesn't mean we also should be irresponsible.

When we do our part well, we have the moral right to insist that lawmakers also do their job well.

VOTING DAY - MAY 10

This time the Election Commission took care to ensure that the voting day is mid-week to obviate the possibility of people clubbing polling day with the weekend and taking off on holiday.

So, on May 10, let us do our part of the job well. 

It's very simple.

Go out and vote.

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Image credits

Narendra Modi - Hindustan Times

Siddaramaiah - NDTV

Electronic voting machine - Wikipedia