Your right to vote

It is the basic right of every citizen in a democratic country.

Your right to vote.

Your right to choose the party whose representatives will form the ruling government of the day. The ruling government that will pass laws, make policies which will affect the progress of your country and the way you live your lives.

Therefore, it is surprising to me that so many Malaysians have never voted in their lives. Never even thought to register to vote. But yet these same people complain about the way things are done, about the way the country is run, about this politician and that, about the unfairness and stupidity of certain government policies.

And the reasons given for not voting:

- I never thought about it
- It's too much trouble to register and to go to the polling station
- What difference does one vote make?
- All political parties are equally bad

Have you heard that one vote makes all the difference? Just like one mark in your school exam makes the difference between a pass and a fail.

I just found a blog recounting the general election of 2008, written by a blogger who decided to be a polling and counting agent on 8 March 2008 (http://johnny-ong.blogspot.com/2008/03/my-experience-being-polling-counting.html). He wrote that on that day at his polling station, there was a bride who came in her bridal gown, together with all her bridesmaids to vote! Imagine that. Now that is one responsible Malaysian who understands the importance of the one vote. So, please, no more excuses not to vote.

If you care about Malaysia, care about the future direction of Malaysia, care to be part of the free democratic process that will gradually shape a more mature and responsbile political landscape in Malaysia, then I hope all Malaysians of the age of majority will exercise their constitutional right as a citizen of Malaysia to vote in the next general election and every election thereafter.

Undi itu adalah rahsia - Your vote is confidential

Election can happen at any time.
It is your responsibility to vote
The website of the Election Commission Malaysia/ Suruhanjaya Pilihanraya can be found at http://www.spr.gov.my/

(Picture courtesy of http://capricornsoapco.blogspot.com/2010/11/exercise-your-right-to-vote-election.html)