THE 2024 Lok Sabha election is coming up soon, and I am sure that many first-time voters will be very hyped and yes, I was too. Proudly for me, I dedicated a lot to Pabung Dr Moirenthem Nara back then and got to learn a lot about electoral politics and the general behaviour of most of the electors of Manipur. The biggest lesson was “Democracy is a total failure”, and another lesson was “Money can buy anything, including we voters.” One might say that the second point is not true for them but there is no shame in admitting that it is almost true for the majority. Putting signboards saying “We do not take money for vote” by a few houses does not count in the big game, but I do give my best regards to those exceptional families. But, to bring a change in the current order, we do need such small steps, so, kudos!
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For now, we have all (must) accept the fact that votes can be bought and whether one takes the money or not, he/she/they have been considered as having taken the money and this is a fact that everyone must accept. Just a small reminder, taking money might make you feel ashamed, probably for a few hours or days and if you are intelligent enough, you will also know that if that candidate wins the election, there is a high chance that he/she/they won’t give any importance to you or even carry out the duties as our elected head. Having known the above knowledge, exercising our voting power which comes once after five years is very important. During this time, we the people are the ones who should be on the higher ground and take a deep breath alongside a thorough serious decision to choose the right candidate. Please note that the definition of a right candidate does not mean that he/she/they will take the role of a divine being who can bring upon all the goodness of what a perfect human society should be.
Let the political analysts and television discussions do their job with endless debates and heated brawling. We do not need to analyse what they are jabbering about, who is best, or which political party is finest. We do not need to study historical politics or any academic jargon to understand something as simple as electing the right or let’s say, good candidate. Many of you have surely come across the definition of democracy by Abraham Lincoln, “Government of the people, by the people, for the people”. This sentence is a very simple definition and the only way to implement it in the current modern scenario is to be smart and clever. This article is not in any way suggesting or teaching you how to vote but rather giving an impulse on why you should give your votes and how that vote matters.
Names of candidates are starting to come up and among them, two will be elected to represent our beloved Manipur in the Lok Sabha of Bharat (India). I am in no way endorsing any political party or candidate nor am I a part or actively associated with any. This is what the ECI has been advertising since a long time back, so let us enjoy the voting rituals by just spending a day. Seeking votes from voters has already been started and as usual, many hopes and promises are being spread like wildfire. We voters must be aware of the recent incidents happening since May 2023 as well as the changes in our socio- political environment after the last election in 2019. Elections are the only way for us citizens to lay the foundations of a better future, and this will be possible if all of us cast our votes without fail. Our single decision will lead to what will become in the next five years in Manipur. Peace? Development? Or worse? Collectively, if we by chance decide to elect the right candidate who is considered “out of the box” and is “unique”, who knows what will happen in Manipur? Keep this simple happy thought in mind too.
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No one is perfect and if all the promises of a better tomorrow were ever fulfilled, then it won’t be reality but rather a fictitious story. However, I am not trying to state only pessimistic agendas but rather sharing the facts of life and in this case, elections. Politics is a dirty game and in a country like India, now, it is very important to remember the risks of criticizing the government or the ruling party. Giving awareness of the need not to take money from the candidates will not be a grand success because not everyone is rich and a few hundred is worth a lot to some who need it. Just take it from all those candidates who give because who cares? Now is the time of capitalism and money power, and believing in ethics or clean politics is just like believing in fairytales. It is impossible to educate everyone and let them be clean of all those bribes. Instead, give your votes to the one whom you truly believe from your heart that he/she/they will surely do something unique for our land. Surely, the potential candidate is already out there and it all rests in your fingers to elect them without any hesitation. It’s a win-win situation where you get some pocket money and hopefully a good elected head. Take it easy because it isn’t rocket science. We humans have survived way worse since time immemorial and such a small event should not be too hard for us. Remember, the belief of having a society which is so perfect like the Garden of Eden is in no way a possibility and no one should be too gullible to live in such fantasies. We all just have to try and manage how to bring out the bare minimum of goodness by doing what we can in our paces.
Wishing all the candidates the best of luck and to all the electors, be wise!
The author can be reached at marjingmmm@gmail.com. Views are personal.
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