2009 general elections are in its last phase, while it is heartening to see the voter turnout in some states like Andhra Pradesh, it was rather disappointing in states like Maharashtra and Bihar.
Major disappointment was when Mumbai went to Vote, a lot of hype was created and high voter turnout was expected. Politicians were seen as enemies at the time of 26/11 and there was a feeling that people have woken up and make politicians accountable. But 45% polling has proved that it was a false impression created by media.
I feel there are many reasons for this poor voter turnout,
1. No political motivation: No political party’s leaders are successful in discussing their problems or communicating their ideologies to the voters. Voters don’t see a change by electing any of the contesting members. They have lost HOPE and have resigned to the fact that things won’t change.
2. Discrepancies in the voter registrations: These discrepancies are alarmingly high, one cannot expect 80% polling with the current percentage of errors in voter lists. Election commission needs to take this up seriously and find a solution to this.
3. Violence: Election commission has released a statement that 2009 general elections are by and large been peaceful where 19 people have lost their lives. Of which 9 were civilians and 10 security officials. This in many countries would be considered as disaster but not in India. This certainly keeps voters away from polling booths, after all no one wants to risk their life to VOTE.
4. Willful ignorance: There are people who ignore the importance and responsibility of voting in a democracy, they throw a deaf ear to everything that’s happening around them. They somehow convince themselves that its “cool” not to talk, think or discuss about politics.
5. Weather conditions: Elections in summer did have an effect, temperatures were close to 45 C in many places and voter turnout in these places was low. Although we could do very little about the weather, some steps could be taken like providing proper shelter for the queues and extending polling time till late in the evenings.
There is one false belief that illiteracy is one of the reasons, I certainly don’t think so because India is only democratic country in the world where Right to Vote is exercised more by poor and illiterate that the affluent. It’s time the middle class and the upper class come forward and utilize their power rather than just complain. If you don’t vote you don’t have right to complain.
Although low polling percentage is still a problem in our democracy, thanks to the efforts of many NGO’s and media who ran campaigns like “Jagoore” and “VoteIndia” there was some improvement in many states in this election.
Important thing to learn from this election is that media or NGO’s should concentrate more on Voter registrations which would bring more transparency in the registration process and brings down discrepancies. A voter who registers himself a month before elections more often than not votes. We are a young country and we would have many new voters in every election, so its very important to have a easy and transparent voter registration process.
Mr. L.K.Advani after casting his vote has said that voting has to be made compulsory in India. I think it’s impossible to do that in India with its huge population and finding a deterrent for those who don’t vote would be very difficult.
We have seen many educated and young people voting this year, I have a sneaking feeling that will have a significant impact and there would be many surprises on 16th of May when elections results are announced. As always exit polls in India would be wrong, but that’s just my guess ;).
-Srikanth Achanta
Major disappointment was when Mumbai went to Vote, a lot of hype was created and high voter turnout was expected. Politicians were seen as enemies at the time of 26/11 and there was a feeling that people have woken up and make politicians accountable. But 45% polling has proved that it was a false impression created by media.
I feel there are many reasons for this poor voter turnout,
1. No political motivation: No political party’s leaders are successful in discussing their problems or communicating their ideologies to the voters. Voters don’t see a change by electing any of the contesting members. They have lost HOPE and have resigned to the fact that things won’t change.
2. Discrepancies in the voter registrations: These discrepancies are alarmingly high, one cannot expect 80% polling with the current percentage of errors in voter lists. Election commission needs to take this up seriously and find a solution to this.
3. Violence: Election commission has released a statement that 2009 general elections are by and large been peaceful where 19 people have lost their lives. Of which 9 were civilians and 10 security officials. This in many countries would be considered as disaster but not in India. This certainly keeps voters away from polling booths, after all no one wants to risk their life to VOTE.
4. Willful ignorance: There are people who ignore the importance and responsibility of voting in a democracy, they throw a deaf ear to everything that’s happening around them. They somehow convince themselves that its “cool” not to talk, think or discuss about politics.
5. Weather conditions: Elections in summer did have an effect, temperatures were close to 45 C in many places and voter turnout in these places was low. Although we could do very little about the weather, some steps could be taken like providing proper shelter for the queues and extending polling time till late in the evenings.
There is one false belief that illiteracy is one of the reasons, I certainly don’t think so because India is only democratic country in the world where Right to Vote is exercised more by poor and illiterate that the affluent. It’s time the middle class and the upper class come forward and utilize their power rather than just complain. If you don’t vote you don’t have right to complain.
Although low polling percentage is still a problem in our democracy, thanks to the efforts of many NGO’s and media who ran campaigns like “Jagoore” and “VoteIndia” there was some improvement in many states in this election.
Important thing to learn from this election is that media or NGO’s should concentrate more on Voter registrations which would bring more transparency in the registration process and brings down discrepancies. A voter who registers himself a month before elections more often than not votes. We are a young country and we would have many new voters in every election, so its very important to have a easy and transparent voter registration process.
Mr. L.K.Advani after casting his vote has said that voting has to be made compulsory in India. I think it’s impossible to do that in India with its huge population and finding a deterrent for those who don’t vote would be very difficult.
We have seen many educated and young people voting this year, I have a sneaking feeling that will have a significant impact and there would be many surprises on 16th of May when elections results are announced. As always exit polls in India would be wrong, but that’s just my guess ;).
-Srikanth Achanta
but LK Advani..also pointed out some other things to be debated..but unfortunately..no one is talking abt them...i thought we shud have a good discussion abt them to make the election process more robust...
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