If you don’t vote, then you have “no right” to question or blame the government, the Supreme Court has observed. The candid admission of an activist seeking a blanket order to remove encroachments in the country and saying he has never cast his vote did not go down well with the apex court leading it to make the observation.
Observing that the court cannot pass a sweeping order on encroachments in a matter involving all states, the bench headed by Chief Justice J S Khehar in 2017, said “One can’t blame the government for everything. If a person does not cast his vote, then he has no right to question the government.”
It is not uncommon for voters to decide not to vote out of apathy, disillusionment, disgust or protest. Not voting is one way of ensuring that the bad politicians are simply rewarded for their bad behaviours.
Not voting would be detrimental to the interest of the voter. By not voting, voters accept and signal that they are happy with the prevailing politics and government’s performance. Individual voting may feel that her single vote may not make a difference, but remember that adding up all the votes of those who abstain from voting can swing an entire election and bring about much-needed change.
Not voting ensures that the bad politicians are rewarded for their bad behaviours. Being ambivalent and complacent in exercising a person’s right to vote does have consequences. A democracy cannot be sustained without active participation in voting to ensure appropriate change in leadership to take the state forward. Thus, a lack of participation in a democratic process will be a disservice to the state.
Voters should know that even if they do not endorse any single party’s values and policies, it is worth investing time to identify a political party whose policies and programmes are most closely aligned with the voters’ aspirations and demands.
Election 2024…
The Election Commission of India has made all preparations to welcome voters to the biggest festival of democracy that any nation has witnessed, the elections to the 18th Lok Sabha and Legislative Assemblies in four states that start off tomorrow with Phase 1. On this occasion, the Commission also reiterates its uncompromising commitment to deliver a free, fair, peaceful, accessible, participative and inducement-free poll. The Commission and its teams across States and Union Territories, in the last two years, have put in necessary hard work and meticulous interventions to give India’s electors the best possible experience. The polling has come after numerous consultations, reviews, field visits, extensive training of officials and the building of new and time-appropriate operating procedures. It has also involved collaboration with a large spectrum of agencies, and organisations countrywide. The Commission comprising CEC Shri Rajiv Kumar and ECs Shri Gyanesh Kumar and Shri Sukhbir Singh Sandhu gave final touches to poll preparations today at noon for a smooth run of phase 1 of General Elections 2024. The remaining 6 phases of polls will continue till the 1st of June with around 97 crore voters lined up to vote. The counting of votes is scheduled for 4th June.
The Commission considers that it is the time now for voters to act. It has with all sincerity appealed to voters to step out of their homes, go to the polling station and vote with responsibility and pride. In a nationally televised message, CEC Shri Rajiv Kumar appealed to all voters to vote without fail.