Rock the vote

• Health of a democracy depends on active, vigilant voters

NOV 15 -  

Few things are more sacrosanct in a democracy than the right to vote. A vote is a reflection of the citizen’s trust in the candidate to represent them and the candidate’s trust in the citizen to elect them. Come November 19, Nepali voters across the country will be exercising their democratic franchise. In Nepal, Election Day is akin to a festival with excitement palpable in the air. Vehicles don’t run, schools and businesses are closed and voters wake up early, eager to walk stridently to the polling station with neighbours and family members. While waiting in line to cast a vote, lively discussions often break out, debating the merits of one candidate against another. Once the ballot is dropped into the box, the stamp of indelible ink on the thumb is displayed like a badge of honour, sealing the democratic bond between voter and candidate. 

In the past, Nepalis have consistently turned out in significant numbers to vote. Voter turnout was 61.86 percent in 1994 and 65.79 per cent in 1999, according to the Election Commission. Voter turnout for the 2008 Constituent Assembly election was 61 percent for First-Past-the-Post and 63 percent for Proportional Representation, according to the Carter Center. These figures assert that a majority of voting-age Nepalis are enthusiastic about elections and will make the effort to stand in line for hours to cast their ballot. Even in 2008, when the election environment was notably tense due to threats of violence, voter turnout remained at a high. 

We expect that November 19 will see a high turnout, despite ongoing incidents of violence by the CPN-Maoist. The Mohan Baidya group hopes to reduce voter turnout and thus, put the legitimacy of the election under question. But this is a flawed tactic. Low voter turnout due to threats of violence does not render an election illegitimate. Even in evolved democracies and in the best of times, the turnout can be low. Voter turnout for mid-term elections in the US was 41.6 percent in 2010 and Switzerland was 49.10 in 2011. Even the abysmally low turnout of 21.9 percent in the UK’s 2012 by-election did not make the polls illegitimate. Furthermore, if public reaction to the CPN-Maoist 10-day banda is anything to go by, there is little reason to believe that the party’s actions will significantly affect turnout, although widespread violence can definitely affect turnout in remote and rural areas. 

We encourage all voters to get out and exercise their democratic rights. The government and the Election Commission have done their part, the candidates are doing theirs and on Tuesday, it will be the voter’s turn. Voting can be a social event, fun and full of energy for everyone present. We urge voters to continue to discuss and debate as pre-election discourse is an integral part of an election. Dress for the weather, take some water along if needed and do your part. Walking and standing in line will certainly benefit personal health, as it will  the health of a democracy, which depends on a vigilant and active citizenry.