I have registered to vote, not because of apocalyptic pronouncements about the sanctity of registering to vote or sermons on how voting is the centrepiece of democracy.
For the first sanctity is respect for the process and respect for the will of those who register and vote. If that is not there, as sadly is the case here, the sanctity of registering and voting is an illusion, a delusion.
I also don’t appreciate the holier-than-thou politicians who blame the young people for not taking the time to register to vote. Have they asked them why they are not bothered? Or is it another top-down, have-have-not condemnation that the elites are so good at, whichever party they belong to?
To be honest, I find such sermons boring because they do not consider the context. And I fully understand why so many people cannot be bothered to register. I think the trauma of 2020 has not yet been exorcised, particularly since the only changes since then have been the cosmetic changes of name and nothing more. We underestimate that trauma at our peril.
So, yes, I have chosen to register in the (forlorn) hope that maybe, just maybe, it might be different this time around. But I am not sure whether I will vote or not. In fact, the signs are not very promising.
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I am well aware that some students are older than 18, but I have never heard of students being herded to register. I seem to remember that the last time I registered, I had to produce proof of who I was, etc., but this time, I could have gone to register with ten different names in different registration centres!
Well, maybe not, as this face is too notorious, but I am quite sure others could. So, how can I know there is no intent to revert the process? And if I am not convinced, with the trauma of 2020 still in my heart and mind, that there is no intent to subvert the process again, why should I bother to go and vote?
Also, slogans like “Ushidi Ni Lazima” or “Victory is a must” do not help, as they automatically justify all methods, fair and foul. Ever since a former secretary general of the party of rulers coined that phrase, democracy seems to have gone downhill.
Democracy
Ah, democracy! I am seriously wondering whether it is not time to find another way of ensuring power to the people as our rulers across the world have long learned that elections are there to be manipulated with lies, bribes and rigs so that they can do what they like for the years that follow.
Our so-called paragons of democracy in the West, quite apart from being the first to destroy any democratic movement that does not lick their boots, bomb-them-to-hell democracies, pay no attention to the will of the people in their own countries either.
In the UK, for example, despite massive demonstrations in favour of Palestine and in opposition to Zionist colonialism and genocide, despite the fact that more than half of the British public in May of this year – even before a further invasion of Lebanon – supported an end to arms sales to Israel, with only 13 per cent wanting to see a continuation; despite the fact that 73 per cent supported an immediate ceasefire, despite the fact that only 12 per cent approved of Labour’s policy on Palestine, the leaders continue merrily on their way, like the deaf frog who climbed to the top of the pole. In the past, at least, the imperialist powers could claim that they somehow listened to their own people, but that is obviously no longer the case.
Is there hope?
So, what is the point of elections? Historically, they have been welcomed by the people. Witness the turnout in South Africa, for example, in the first independent poll. Election years should be years of hope, change, and renewal.
And when people feel that there really is a hope of change and renewal, a hope of an alternative that is really more people-centred, they turn out and vote as that is the only time they think they have any say in the running of their countries.
How much hope do our people have today? If election years are connected with murders of people with albinism, abductions and murders, one wonders where we are headed regardless of how many pious words fill the airwaves.
And if, as many have testified, many of our so-called representatives have got there by foul means rather than fair, bribes or worse, what does that say about our leaders? Either they are not representing us, or we have agreed to be as foul as they are.
In my workshops on public participation, I often divide the participants into groups. One group develops the ten commandments for choosing the best people to represent us in order of importance. Of course, they mention commitment, participatory, honesty, etc.
The other group identifies ten reasons why we actually choose our leaders again in order of importance, and completely different priorities emerge: ethnicity, religion, promises, favours (and therefore wealth), etc.
If that is the case, why are we surprised with the representatives that we get? And why are we surprised that those who do not like such behaviours do not bother to register, let alone vote?
But of course, why do we even need to choose representatives if one person brings about all development, as our so-called representatives are so fond of telling us? Why do we even need them?
So, yes, I have registered, but I am yet to be convinced that my vote will count, even if it is counted!
Richard Mabala is an educator, poet, and author. He is available at rmabala@yahoo.com or on X as @MabalaMakengeza. These are the writer’s own opinions, and they do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of The Chanzo. Do you want to publish in this space? Contact our editors at editor@thechanzo.com for further inquiries.
