A section of the ‘lok’ are ‘katti’ with ‘loktantra’. The low voter turnout in quite a few constituencies in the recent elections can’t be attributed to foreign interference, the favourite whipping boy. In fact, many voters are cynical, lackadaisical or a combination of both. The authorities tried their best to invite voters to celebrate the festival of democracy but ended up with a modest success. Celebrities, who were chosen as state ambassadors, must have been wondering if they had overestimated their charm and impact. The candidates gave theatrical performances and tried many overt and covert tactics. But all this had as much impact on some voters as the dictates of parents have on the teens.
The cynics (those who label a half-filled glass as half empty) have an unshakeable belief- there won’t be any progress after an election because all politicians are clones of each other. The explanation is similar to the one given by those who go in for large scale tax evasion- the tax money paid by them is going to be lost because of corruption. Others declare- we don’t want to have anything to do with politics. They don’t realize that politics is a part and parcel of every family in our country and it starts as soon as one is born- both the paternal and maternal sides claim that the newborn baby resembles them. The influential ones feel that they would have a firm grip on the system irrespective of whichever political party wins. Some smooth operators boast (even in a non-drunken state)- we are the system.
The online shopping sites and the food delivery apps have made people so lethargic that they don’t even have the energy to go to the corner shop or the local eatery, leave alone a polling booth. Those who have become accustomed to working from home find moving out of the home a major project. The day is not far off when cooked food will move from the kitchen via conveyer belts or mini lifts inside homes and family members in the same building will bond with each other over video calls. Some overworked people take voting day as a holiday. They spend it by gluing their butt to the couch and ogling at the smart television screen. Shutting down OTT platforms, gaming apps and television entertainment channels for the voting day would leave the couch potatoes with no choice but to vote.
We do need out of the box ideas. Every voter could be offered a scratch card (the prizes to be given out of the goods confiscated by the customs). Gen Z is reportedly showing the maximum apathy. They will relate to online appointments for voting. For all voters who are below 25 years of age, the indelible ink on the finger may be offered in fluorescent colours and interesting patterns. Selfie point should be compulsory in each booth. Volunteers could set up paani poori, dahi vada, bhel poori and pav bhaji stalls at the exit route. The ones resting in their homes will feel jealous after getting to know of the fun times availed by those who got inked.
There is no alternative but to embrace democracy. It may not be the perfect system of governance but is much better than theocracy, monarchy and military rule!