What’s the need to vote?

What’s the need to vote?

Votes – The Final Step towards Real Democracy

Democracy is a political method or an institutional arrangement for arriving at political, legislative and administrative decisions by vesting in certain individuals the power to decide on all matters as a consequence of their successful pursuit of the people’s vote. – Joseph A. Schumpeter

The Indian constitution has set India up as a “Democratic Republic”. It means a nation governed by it citizens. Democracy may properly be defined as that form of Government which the mass of adult population has direct share in choosing the administrators. Democracy is a form of government in which all eligible citizens participate equally –through elected representatives – in the proposal, development and creation of laws. It encompasses social, economic and cultural conditions that enable the free and equal practice of political self-determination. The word ‘democracy’ originates from two Greek words demos (people) and Kratia (rule). In a literal sense, it means ‘rule of people’ We know it as, the government of the people, by the people and for the people – from the words of the great American President Abraham Lincoln.  A country cannot be regarded as fully democratic if a significant percentage of the electors does not exercise its right to vote. The rule of the voter in the notion of modern democratic societies and the question of how this electoral participation can have an impact in the wellbeing of democracy.. Our constitution provides for a representative democracy, where elected representative run the Government for us, heed for our needs and act as our voice in the August houses of Governance. In India they are the Parliament and State Assemblies.

Why Voting is Essential for Democracy

The Indian constitution has adopted the system of universal adult suffrage or Franchise. Since elections are the life blood of democratic procedure, it is via the act of voting that democratic principles are protected. Electoral systems are the main tools in which the notions of participation and representation are transformed into reality. The main purpose of the electoral system is to exchange votes cast by electors, into seats in the parliament and state assembly.

Why Your vote is important

As citizens we are all up front with the complaints against our administrative system. The condition of the roads, the water supply, perceived corruption are all topics on which we are all very vocal about. Yet election days are perceived as holidays rather than the day we exercise our first duty as a citizen of the nation. While we all including young children, know that our vote is our right, even senior people conveniently forget that this is one right that is also a constitutional duty. Democracy is the rule by people, and you and I make up people. Your vote and that of millions make up the voters list. If ever we consider it as unimportant, we not just lose a vote, and we also absolve ourselves of our primary duty. In short it is with the deepest of conviction that one says that he that does not vote has no right to complain. You chose not to choose, so who are you to complain of what was chosen.

Make sure you vote. Your vote is your claim to being the dutiful citizen of this country. Claim your vote and exercise it fairly without fear or favour.