The right to suffrage, contrary to its original intentions, has been repeatedly used and abused by power-gluttons to curb real public opinion in the selection of government leaders in different countries across the world. This premise might seem so strong to state or even to simply make without offering any on-the-ground substantiation or without giving any contextual demonstrative example. The sad truth is that these proofs have been flooding society for quite some time now. We people see it. We feel it. And yet, some remained contented with the way apathy domineers our political will to change things to the way they should be. But today is the beginning of our political maturity.

Bullets or Ballots?
Insinuating fright to the electorate has always been a fail-safe resort for desperate power-gluttons. They use guns for threatening and murdering in order to rake favorable ballots. Yes, it can be very patriotic to stand against death just for your un-tampered vote to be counted; personally, I don’t even think it is necessary. But one can always fight in anonymity. Take advantage of technology. Blog. Upload photos. Campaign. Reach as many people as possible. Drag attention to your locality; no one has to do it alone; many people are waiting to be heard just like you. Heighten external pressure on your leaders. If bullets zipped your mouth, let your fingers talk for you. It’s not easy, of course. But the change wouldn’t happen overnight, it is a lengthy and tedious process. In the end, electoral activism will prove its worth when the right leaders are finally instituted.

Bucks for the Box
Ballot-Boxes, in countries like the Philippines, has always been padlocked, from the old metal boxes in the past elections to the modern electronic PCOS (Precinct Count Optical Scan) machines for the present automated elections. In essence, this is to protect the sacred filled-up ballots which shall eventually dictate the fate of all electoral candidates. Sadly, no matter how protected the ballots become once they land inside these boxes (which in reality is not true), power-gluttons can actually conquer the ballots way before they get slipped inside the ballot-boxes. Money does the trick. The term vote-buying, which is alien to some countries, was given birth because of this bitter reality. Some people just do not value their rights to suffrage more than they value a week’s worth of meal, which politicians can offer them in exchange for their votes. But who can judge these people?

For some societies, vote-buying has become a tradition. And I don’t know too if this tradition will ever extricate itself from the political scene. It is better not to accept any form of bribery; but the truth is, it is very difficult to reject the money or the grocery or the milk you are to feed your baby, even when given with malicious intents, if you are living below poverty line. Even so, one very simple logical escape remains, if one cannot deny the help because of necessity, then accept the money, but continue to vote with your conscience intact. Disappoint the power-gluttons. This, I think, is the sweetest revenge the people who suffer from corrupt leaders can give to the perpetrators of their distress.

Surely, the pursuit of becoming a pro-active electorate can be rough and scary; but it pays you well. Good governance starts with good leaders, and good leaders can only be elected once we hone a firm and mature electorate.

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