Your vote is your voice

The concept of voting can be traced back to ancient Greece, where Athenian citizens gathered in assemblies to directly vote on laws and policies, deciding the fate of their leaders and the future of their generations. The right to vote empowers ordinary citizens to contribute to a functioning democracy. This practice instills a sense of confidence in ordinary people that their existence matters. Presently, different voting practices are followed around the world, with some countries using ballot paper voting systems and others opting for digital voting mechanisms. Both methods are valid and available options for voting, chosen based on the geographical needs of that particular country.

If we see current environment of Pakistan in a broader perspective, wherein the politicians, who constitute themselves as the supreme elites of country, are appealing to the common people to determine their fate for the future we the commoners desire. This provides a profound insight into the fundamental concept of democracy, emphasizing the core concept which narrates: a state for the people and by the people. But, what we need to alter and comprehend is the mindset that voting indeed matters, irrespective of the political party chosen as the savior. A new trend has emerged in Pakistan, involving the social boycott of the voting system or casting a family vote based on personal preferences within friends and family for a particular party.

As a nation, we need to reflect upon the fact that voting is not a mere amusement activity or a lethargic day long process for selecting a favored leader. The logical understanding of choosing the right candidate is of paramount importance. We must reconcile the efforts they have made to simplify our lives in past and consider how our chosen political leaders contribute to justice, the provision of basic necessities, and the overall economic well-being of the country. Voting is a deeply personal choice and should not be swayed by the influence of relatives, family, or friends. It requires thorough contemplation about the future of our generations and the wellbeing of the country. During election campaigns, numerous political leaders are noted for making promises that are logically implausible given the current economic conditions of the country. However, a significant portion of the population falls into the sugar-coated traps without the necessity to critically assess these promises. It is essential to compare these promises with their past performance and make informed choices for the betterment of our society and nation.

Voting solely based on ethnicity, family, peer pressure, and personality favoritism will not effectively address the fundamental issues confronting our society. The true value of your vote needs to be thoroughly researched and clarified in your mind. The impacts of your vote should logically and purely contribute to the well-being of the community. It is imperative that the root causes of societal issues be analyzed by every citizen. If a chosen leader has the potential to address and resolve these issues, they should be supported with your vote. As a nation, we must awaken to the significance of our votes and comprehend why and how they matter in the establishment of a sovereign and welfare state grounded in Islamic principles and democracy.

Another persistent dilemma in today’s youth is the concept of nihilism, which involves a fundamental belief that everything is useless and that nothing will happen, regardless of their actions. This leads to a rejection of the meaning of life and one’s existence. The majority of millennials are engrossed in building their careers or immersed in the artificial and fabricated world of social media, preventing them from acknowledging the harsh and unfiltered reality that they are the actual driving force behind any nation. Their existence and positive contributions to society can create a substantial and noticeable difference.

Choosing not to vote and instead complaining about state actors for not providing opportunities for career growth is unjustified. You didn’t select the leader to guide you, but you opted to criticize the leader chosen by others without your consent. Harassing, bullying, and ridiculing elected leaders on social media is an effortless task that requires less effort than what is needed to choose a leader through voting after researching the mindset, vision, education, and qualities of the aspiring political leader.

The nation needs to wake up from the long slumber of procrastination to comprehend the value of their rights and to choose a leader based on the crude merit of their vision, education, past performance, and credibility. The striving potential leader should be capable of providing basic rights to the common people, who are the true face of every country.