Participating in elections is the foremost duty of a patriotic citizen. An election is a formal group decision-making process by which a population chooses an individual or multiple individuals to hold public office. The nature of democracy is that elected officials are accountable to the people, and they must return to the voters at prescribed intervals to seek their mandate to continue in office. For that reason, most democratic constitutions provide that elections are held at fixed regular intervals.
Why It is Important that you Participate.
1. Only a few get to make the choice for you.
When few people go to the polls on Election day, then you have placed power in the hands of a few. These few might not necessarily be selecting the most credible leader only the popular one. When the majority are involved there is a higher chance that a credible leader is elected, because a corrupt politician cannot mobilize or buy millions of people to vote for him. And it is highly important that you participate in the process of electing a leader especially when you know what to look out for.
2. Helps to reduce the chances of rigging.
If a huge number of people participate in elections, electoral malpractice in favour of a candidate will be more difficult. The number of people voting and the number of those present at the polling units to protect their votes will overwhelm them and they will have no choice but to present actual figures. They might want to cheat in one polling unit, but won’t be able to do so everywhere.
3. You can sleep at night knowing you exercised your franchise.
It is your right as a citizen of your country to vote. When you participate in elections, you know you have done your best for your country. In the quest to select a credible leader, you need to be sure you’re doing your absolute best. Of course, politicians might disappoint you, and make promises that they won’t fulfil. If that happens, don’t blame yourself. It’s not your fault. You can only select what is presented before you. And you made your choice.
