To Vote Or Not To Vote!

14th May 2024

With politics being in the air these days, TV, hoardings, newspaper advertisements, and pamphlets on the door every medium is flooding with vote appeals and promotion!

A few days back, I chose to watch the news on the TV (for a change!) and there he (my 9-year-old!) heard a new word "Democracy"!

He started asking questions about the same topic, here is how the conversation went:

A: What is democracy, Mumma?

Me: There are many formats in which a country functions. Democracy is one of them. They say this system is of the people, for the people, and by the people.

A: This advertisement says to press this button and press that button. I want to.

Me: You can't. You will be eligible once you turn 18.

A: 9 more years to go. :(
Mumma, but you can. You are above 18.

Me: Yes, I know!

A: You will vote on the 13th? Which button will you press?

Me: None.

A: Why?

Me: Just like that. I believe in democracy. But politics is getting it to a different level. You are too small for all this. Come on, let's have lunch.

A: You don't vote mumma, you can't complain about the system then!

Me: Oh my my! I thought this to myself always! Thank you for reminding me of that!

A: Did you ever vote?

Me: Yes! I did vote once! The year I turned 18!



A: And the person you voted for won?

Me: No.

A: Why? Which button did you press? Lotus? Palm? Clock or Engine?

Me: Does that even matter? I voted because the candidate looked promising and the party he stood for was already doing great work.

A: I wonder why he did not win!

Me: He would have easily won, the opposing teams allied and he was left alone. His votes couldn't suffice their cumulative total. He lost.

A: So you don't vote because the candidate you voted for did not win? And you always keep advising to not to think about winning or losing, to do our part, and to keep trying. You only don't follow your words, Mumma! Huh! Not fair!

Me: Listen, this is different. I did not stop voting because the candidate I voted for lost. I stopped voting because, initially it was a different picture and later it was a different alliance. Imagine people who voted for the candidates who allied, poor souls did not sign up for that shock or surprise, whatever it was for them! It's like, not keeping their promise, not being loyal, no transparency in acts and behavior. I believe that is what politics does to politicians, not generalizing, but most of them!

A: Oh God Mumma, I was just kidding. But I respect and agree with your thoughts. I will think, "To Vote Or Not To Vote!"

Me: You can and you should vote! Just choose the candidate/party wisely. Think rationally.

A: Wait... What is Rationally?

Me: I am very hungry, let's have our lunch, please can we?

This post is a part of Everything Is Politics Blog Hop hosted by Sukaina Majeed and Manali Desai .