Did your parents vote?

The local body elections were held on the Oct. 17 and 19, 2011 all over Tamil Nadu.
And for this reason the days were given either as a day off or a half day so that the citizens can do their bit by voting. The AIADMK party emerged victorious  in these elections.

But this is not what I would like to highlight.

The voters’ turnout has been a major concern since some time. I personally went around and surveyed the voters in my neighbourhood. The statistics was shocking as well as saddening.

Out of every ten people, four had no voters’ ID cards and hence their names did not feature in the list; another four had a voters’ card but did not vote for whatever reason known to them. Only two people managed to vote out of the 10.

The total voters’ turnout in Chennai was reported to be 48%, which is lesser as compared to the previous 55%. A few first time voters, when came to the polling booth, thought they had gone to the wrong place as there was no crowd at all!

One of the election officers, thought she had the wrong time or place or date. She was thoroughly shocked with the small numbers who came to vote.

Right to vote is the only fundamental right that the framers of the constitution had no debate or question about.

Last year too the government had given a holiday in the hope that the citizens would utilize this and go and exercise their vote.

At least in the next elections, ask your parents to take out five minutes and go and vote, every single vote counts.
Else, endure all the dumps, battered roads, stagnated water during the monsoon, the power-cuts and never complain…