Elections: a first-hand account

13th October 2009

4.25 pm

I travelled 2 hours this morning from Andheri (where I am temporarily staying) to Dombivli (where my name is registered on the electoral roll) to cast a vote, for no individual, no party whatsoever! Yes, I wanted to cast a “Protest vote” because I do not deem any of the candidates fit even for candidature, leave alone governance. I reached the poll booth (Saraswati Vidyalaya, Dombivli West, District Thane) and as per the instructions in the newspaper, I went to the presiding officer and demanded the form in which the “No vote” needs to be entered against my name. As I had expected, the officer said that the above form is not available at the poll booth. I then demanded a note in writing from him stating the non-availability of the form despite my willingness to vote, which, he refused to handover. I was not surprised. I then demanded to speak to the Zonal Officer (name and telephone number not revealed due to obvious reasons) about this issue. She assured me that despite the non-availability of the above form, I could write down my “Protest vote” and the reason for the same against my name in register 17-C (or 17-A: she herself appeared to be confused about the same). Otherwise, I would not be able to cast my vote. Left with no option, I went ahead and wrote down the fact that I DO NOT WANT TO VOTE FOR ANY OF THE CANDIDATES BECAUSE I DO NOT DEEM ANY OF THEM FIT FOR CANDIDATURE in the above register and signed against my electoral roll number.

The catch here is
1. I am not sure if the register in which I have entered a “Protest Vote” would even reach the election office. However, I am 99% (if not 100%) sure that my vote is going to be personated by someone else. That is how much faith I have in our system.

2. I am 99% (if not 100%) sure that the above form was available with the presiding officer. Only, he chose not to give it to me because of obvious intentions. Again, that is how much faith I have in the people who are running the system.

3. There was a so-called self-proclaimed helper at the poll booth who was speaking to various officers on my behalf. She even noted down my electoral roll number. She, of course, is an active worker for a political party that has fielded a candidate from our area. I am 99% (if not 100%) sure that my vote will be personated and will go to the candidate from the “helper’s” party. That’s how much faith I have in our own fellow countrymen.

PS: I may be banging my head against the wall when I say I am trying to fight for change. People say all this happens only in movies, and looks good only in ads. I am only trying to say that these movies are not just for commercial success. These ads are not just to publicize any brand. A revolution is possible. And it will happen. I believe so. Even if the system that I am myself a part of sucks! Bigtime! And I will continue my fight in my own way. Whether the tide is with or against me!