For starters, politicians are experts in inaction and breaking their promises once elected. And it is not just about broken promises. Almost one-third of the elected candidates in our country have criminal charges against them. Also, corruption is rampant, growing at an alarming pace, and is largely unchecked. I am tired of hearing blatant lies and hollow promises. Frustration mounts like a wave every time I hear about complacency and lack of transparency. A wave of sadness chokes me every time I hear about increasing crimes and decreasing conviction rates.
Politicians are shamelessly insincere about their campaign pledges. They promise the world during campaigns, but as we know, they never fulfil the promises. If I cannot trust them to keep their promises, why should I vote? In other words, politics has now become “politricks”, and I do not want to trick my soul. According to the law of the land, commoners like you and me must be responsible for our decisions and accountable for our actions. But, when a citizen becomes a politician, this rule often goes out of the window.
Do you know the reason why our politicians get away with inaction and unfulfilled promises? There are no checks and balances to assess their works during or after their tenure. Thus, broken promises and voters’ discontent have become so common these days that we have almost forgotten what it feels like when an elected politician keeps promises. Most of the politicians live for themselves. They live under the umbrella of selflessness and are always hungry for power and privileges. This is why many people in our country do not feel represented by the candidates they elect. I am no different, but I will not spend my time looking for the "lesser evil".
I am eligible to vote, but I decided not to when I was eighteen. For me, the election is just a once-in-five years exercise. I stay home during the day of voting and live my life, and I have no plans to change my decision. From good roads to streetlights, traffic signals, drinking water, and the safety of women and children, none of the necessities is provided equally to the citizens across the country. For me, voting is an act of hope. If people still die of hunger, worms wriggle in our drinking water, fatal accidents happen due to potholes, and babies as young as 28 days get raped, why should I spend my time electing a selfish bunch of power mongers?
Now, the question is more pertinent than ever. We are battling an unprecedented crisis, and the explosion of COVID-19 cases is taking a toll on everyone, including our frontline warriors. Despite receiving warning signs of the new wave and the new variants, our elected representatives failed to take adequate steps to mitigate the spread and the second wave. Religious gatherings and elections aggravated the surge, and the complacency is costing us heavily now.
Most of the politicians took to social media and urged people to vote even amid the pandemic. Voters thronged to polling sites and created breeding grounds for the virus. Due to the mass flouting of COVID norms during elections, COVID is now ravaging our country harder than ever. People are gasping for breath and battling for life, and hospitals do not have adequate beds and medical oxygen supply. But our politicians are focusing more on blame games instead of helping the people out there.
Yes, I cannot understand why I should do my civic duties in a country where the elected representatives fail to provide even hospital beds, medicines, and medical oxygen. If they do not have an iota of concern about us and our well-being, why should I spend an hour in front of the polling booth to do my civic duty? My life and time are as precious as those of the politicians out there.
As far as I know, there are no legal remedies to pursue if a politician breaks a promise or fails to perform the fundamental duties. Lack of legal obligation is the main reason why errant, selfish, and irresponsible politicians get away with unfulfilled promises, wrongdoings, and inaction. Forget legal remedies; the crisis of accountability is rampant among politicians. Furthermore, voluntary resignation admitting responsibility of failure to discharge duties as an elected representative is unheard of in our country. Is there anything left for a voter to expect?
Let me tell you about a one-on-one interaction with a municipal election candidate. This incident happened several years ago, but it continues to remain etched in my mind. The candidate was at my doorstep, in deep conversation with my dad. When he saw me standing near the door, he told me that I should take a day off and cast my vote for him. My reply was simple – I asked him if he can ensure good streetlights, round the clock safety and proper waste disposal. His reply was a sarcastic smile that spoke a thousand words that echoed his lack of interest in my request. He walked away, and I stood there reaffirming my decision not to vote.
