The country does not run itself, play your part, vote.

Editorial Cartoon.

When the public does not participate in the political process, it abandons its responsibility and foregoes its Constitutional right.

 

These rights were on the larger part fought for and blood was shed for the nation to govern itself and to do so democratically. It is to dishonor the lives that were lost for us to have this freedom and rights when we do not participate in the democratic process.

 

Under the democratic process, voting is a major pillar which if broken, the nation cannot claim to be a democracy.

 

Voting is also a responsibility, because it is through voting that the nation’s leaders are elected and put into power.

 

When the majority of the public does not participate in the voting process, it in effect allows the few who do, to elect whomever they so please. It follows that if these few are corrupted or misguided unwittingly, they then vote for bad leaders who are seeking positions of power not to serve the nation but their own personal or political interests.

 

It is such leaders that engage in corruption and embezzlement of public funds, they obstruct justice and commit other atrocities.

However, who put them in power? It is not only the few who voted but also the many who did not because had they participated, maybe then, a better leader would have been elected.

 

When the nation is split, with the majority not taking part in the elections through voting then the nation is divided. In this divided state, loopholes are created which allow for corrupt leaders to seize power under the banner of ‘democracy’.

 

In fact, it is not only our duty to vote but to learn in detail, of every ideal and principle that any aspiring leader conveys. Familiarising ourselves lightly will not do the job for no candidate will take the stand and say he or she plans to take office only to rob the nation.

On the contrary, they all give colourful and promising pledges they claim to be scripture truths to lure the masses to vote for them. It is thus paramount that the public digs deeper to know the real truth hidden behind the sugar coated speeches.

 

To do so requires patriotic dedication by attending city hall meetings, rallies and reading printouts about the various candidates.

 

It also helps to participate in debates on radio and other media outlets when topics are raised or leaders are interviewed. Asking comparison questions may force a lying candidate top slip and reveal the truth of their claims.

 

For example a candidate promises roads yet you are aware through a town hall meeting you attended or a radio talk show you heard, that road was already earmarked for fixing and tenders awarded.

 

It follows that, should the road be fixed, is the candidate deserving of the merit? No, the plans to fix the road were already in place before their administration.

 

Or a candidate promises more jobs but offers no details as to how they will create those jobs etc It is by engaging ourselves in the political process that we commandeer our future, that of our children and that of our nation at large.

 

So let’s be responsible, register to vote, learn all you can about all the candidates and come October, go to the polling stations and cast your vote, make an informed decision to choose who will lead the country for the next half a decade.