Contrary to the popular belief, winning independence in 1947 wasn't a one-time thing. Once with it, it's imperative that we work constantly to maintain that independence and dethrone any idea of totalitarianism. To help us with this, our constitution gifts citizens the best asset: the electoral system.
Of course, over the decades, in the glam of traditional and social media, while the numbers of voters have indeed increased, the relevance of elections has been watershed.
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I mean, could you believe, people, vote for their councilors based not on their local problems, not even based on the political party they support, which itself is worse, but rather the "face" that they like and support. The political scene in India is at its low due to the fan culture that it's going through. No matter what happens and where the country goes, these "fans" would always support their celebrity-like politician. And this significantly undermines our electoral system.
Nonetheless. Even when voting doesn’t necessarily approve our independence, it still is fundamental to our democracy. And whether the nation wants to know OR NOT, it's not the social media propaganda that wins. In the end, voting still remains one of the most powerful assets for the citizens of this country.
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So, when you're going to vote this month (or the next one), know why you’re casting your vote. Know you're choosing an MP who, in the parliament, is supposed to protect your rights and ensure your growth -- and NOT be a yes-man/woman to the celebrity-like political leaders, be it Narendra Modi or Rahul Gandhi.
Here's why we vote…
In India, we have four types of elections. However, Rajya Sabha or Upper House election is not directly elected by the people, so let's keep it aside here.
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• General Election: This is what you're going to vote for this month… to choose MPs who will represent you and your constituency in Lok Sabha. They are the custodians of your rights and benefits. Their job is to introduce new legislation, and debate others solely meant to benefit your economic and social being. (In theory, these MPs, collectively, choose the Prime Minister of the country,)
• State Assembly Elections: You vote to choose your MLAs who are supposed to represent you in the State Assembly or Vidhan Sabha. They are responsible to formulate laws for various departments (healthcare, agriculture) in the state. (In theory, these MLAs, collectively, choose the Chief Minister of their respective states.)
• Local Body Elections: It includes a smaller geographical area in the states, including various types of local bodies that people elect, like municipalities, panchayats. You vote to choose your ward councilors. They take care of the grass-root civic issues like waste management, roads, street lights, town/city planning, and more. (In theory, here, you're not supposed to vote for a political party; you're supposed to vote for a representative who's aware of the local issues and promises to work FOR YOU and not the celebrity-like political leaders.)
This is why you vote.
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So, this month (or the next month), whether you’re going to vote in General Election OR you're voting for your MLAs (in Arunachal, Andhra, Sikkim, Odhisa), know the intent why you’re voting. Know who you are choosing and why you're choosing her/him. Know how this person will help you and your community flourish. Know if they will work for you OR their political masters.
Stop being a part of the "fan culture". Stop voting for faces. Vote for the issues. NOT for Modi or Rahul. But for unemployment, inflation, farmers' plight, development in your city, and every other issue that fundamentally affect you.
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Remember, comments of Pakistan's PM Imran Khan doesn’t affect you -- never-on-time railways does affect you. Army's air strike doesn’t affect you -- farmers' problems does. Global perception of India doesn’t affect you -- unemployment does. Rafael deal doesn’t directly affect you -- the communal tension does.
Know why you're voting.
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And most importantly, in this election season, STOP watching news channels. Heck, stop watching TV. You're fed propaganda.