Col Shiv Choudhary (Retd)
Election Commission of India on Aug 16, 2024, announced three phased assembly elections from Sept 18 to Oct 1, 2024, in the UT of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) as ordered by the apex court of India. 87.09 lakh total electors in J&K’s 90 Assembly constituencies will participate in these elections.
The J&K Assembly elections hold significant importance as these will be the first since the revocation of Article 370 in Aug 2019, which stripped the region of its special status and reorganized it into two UTs: J&K and Ladakh. Since then, the region has been governed directly by the Central Government, and there has been no elected Legislative Assembly. These elections are seen as a critical step towards restoring democratic processes in the region and are being watched closely by political observers across board. The election will mark a new chapter for J&K, providing the citizens an opportunity to voice their concerns and shape the future governance of the region. Major political parties like INC, BJP, NC, PDP and few others are expected to compete intensely for control.
Key issues are likely to revolve around regional development, security, restoration of statehood, reversion of article 370, and autonomy. Verdict will reflect the legitimacy of abrogation of Article 370 and state becoming a UT with huge stakes for all political parties. The elections also present a challenge in terms of ensuring voters turnout and peaceful conduct given the sensitive political climate and activities of unfriendly neighbours. Successful elections will be a significant milestone as an effort to integrate the region fully. Towards this, every effort has been made to ensure ease of voting, accessibility, security, logistics, staff and convenience which includes mobile polling booths even up to three voters.
Voting is a fundamental right and a cornerstone of democracy, allowing citizens to have a say in how they are governed. By casting a vote, individuals contribute to shaping the policies and leadership that impact their daily lives and future. It empowers citizens to hold elected officials accountable and ensures that diverse voices are heard in decision-making. Voting also strengthens the democratic system by promoting representation, fairness, and inclusivity. Collective power of voting can drive change, promote justice, and uphold democratic values. Participation in elections is a civic duty that safeguards the rights and freedoms of society. Election process is a very costly affair as last Parliament elections in India cost over $14.4 billion.
Sadly, Indian elections are known for lower voter turnout, while participation in election process is very vital as it enables voters to bring needed changes concerning climate, corruption, economy, education, environment, health care, housing, jobs, justice system, political leadership, pollution, security, and women empowerment for the next generation. Freedom to choose own government has come post lot of sacrifices. Tomorrow, it is the youngsters, who will go to war, win, die and sustain injuries, not the politicians. Voting is a way to honor those soldiers and martyrs who got us sovereignty and constitution.
Every voice matters in electing law makers and strengthening of democracy for shaping governance and policy. More the voices heard at the ballot box, more representative would be the democratic process. Conversely, low voter turnout can raise doubts about the fairness and integrity of the electoral process, undermines the credibility of democratic institutions, and weakens democratic process. Indeed, significant voter turnout is the life blood for empowering people and strengthening democracy.
Elected candidates make decisions that impact citizens’ lives. Voting serves as a powerful instrument for promoting social change, establishing democratic government, advancing civil rights, influence the direction of their society, and holding elected officials accountable for their actions/inactions or reject them next time for poor performance. Higher voter turnout contributes to the legitimacy of elected governments and helps build trust between citizens and their representatives. Voters’ voices are heard through the electoral process which fosters greater social cohesion and political stability. A diverse and engaged electorate can help prevent the rise of extremist or authoritarian movements.
Majority get swayed by the false propaganda, fake images, and often repeated social, economic, and political sops. Religion, casteism, and money power have proved to be the biggest influencer in India during the recent times. In case voters want to give due weightage to candidate’s personal image, education, experience, public service, promises aligning with own values, accessibility, track record, integrity, and secular character, and his concern for local issues, voters must hit the ballot box on the day of voting.
Voters can distinguish between who is who of campaigners, candidates, political parties and ideology, their ability to connect, charisma, communication skills, authenticity, and capacity to mobilize support. A small false message can change the voters’ perceptions overnight. Candidates often seek to mobilize support along complex social fabric, local politics, specific caste groups or forging alliances with such organizations to secure votes. Pre-election alliances and coalitions formed amongst political parties, a new intervention, can impact voters’ choices by reshaping the political landscape and influencing perceptions of candidate’s viability, visibility, and electability.
In an era marked by political polarization, corruption, tainted candidates and disenchantment, the temptation to hit the ballot box is a key decider. When a significant portion of the population abstains from voting, it not only creates a vacuum for exploitation, but also distorts and diminishes the legitimacy of the emerging government. If we exercise our voting right when needed, no rulers or leaders will have dictatorial power due to fear of being rejected next time. They may get what they want, but only to the tolerance limits of voting majority.
Significant low voting percentage despite all efforts made by the ECI is a bane for India. Some of the reasons for not voting include lack of trust in political leaders or the system, apathy or indifference toward politics, belief that their vote won’t make a difference, lack of awareness about the importance of voting, disillusionment with previous election outcomes, fear of political violence or instability, feeling uninformed about the candidates or issues, work or personal commitments that prevent participation, complex registration process or failure to update voter information, cultural or community pressure, long queue, non-registration, confusion, apathetic voters, disliking for candidates, frequent elections, poor delivery record, corrupt political culture, and voters’ intimidation.
It is important to know that even a single vote is crucial. AR Krishnamurhthy of JD (S) lost to R Dhruvanarayan of Congress by just one vote in the Karnataka assembly elections of 2004. There are four more instances. Also remember the Gore V. Bush scandal in Florida? That was decided by a small number of votes. No situation would change by sitting idle while others decide your future. Importance of voting is very important for millennials. Youth who want change, need to vote. The collective “youth vote” could sway the election. You don’t want to vote for any of the lesser evils, but not voting is potentially allowing the greater evil to win. Not voting is no expression of your resentment against political class or its incompetency. Option of NOTA is always there which caters for all resentment and disagreement. Higher clicks on NOTA button are a clear warning.
During the last Parliament election held in 2019, only 616 million (67.4%) voted out of listed 912 million voters, while in 2014 elections, 280 million registered voters, did not vote. Perhaps no country in the world has these many votes. There has been lot of discussions on compulsory voting including Dinesh Goswami Committee (1990), introduction of Compulsory Voting Bill, 2004 by Bachi Singh Rawat and a Pvt Bill by JP Agarwal in 2009. Certain countries like Australia along with several countries in South America including Brazil, Argentina and Bolivia totaling about 13% have a provision for compulsory voting while democracies like the UK, USA, Germany, Italy, and France have a system of voluntary voting. ECI may revisit this grey area.
The trend analysis which guides party spin doctors where to target their advertising dollars generally missed the youth because the youth vote was small on a demographics map. It is no more so, and only the youth votes can bring a change. Democracy thrives on voters, and a ‘democratic government by, for and of the people’ cannot work without the people. The more the like-minded voters are there, the louder their voice grows. If there is one thing that is annoying actual voters, it is the endless ramblings and cribbing about any government of the day. If you don’t vote, you really have no right to complain about.
As the Day approaches, let us heed the call to action and ensure that every voice is heard, every vote is counted, and the flame of democracy continues to burn brightly. We are leading the world in technology, but we don’t spare a thought to change/ innovate tools for enhancing voting percentage. Yes, the possible misuse of such tools more so by ruling parties of the day, will always remain a significant challenge for the ECI. Remember the clarion call “Not voting is not a protest. It is a surrender.”
(The writer is a motivational speaker).
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