From Nisa Nash

I have no intention of going near a polling booth on Saturday because this general election isn’t for me.

It is not anti-political to choose not to vote although it is widely held that election is a call to action.

-ADVERTISEMENT-

Ads by 

My parents and friends in Petaling Jaya are upset over my decision to stay put in Sarawak where I am working. They feel voting is a civic duty.

I cannot understand why people confuse my anger for apathy. I’m abstaining in disgust.

I did not hesitate to vote for the first time in the last general election because our country was being ruined by despicable politicians.

Those rotten lot came back into power after a coup of sorts after 22 months and destroyed the feeling of normalcy.

Their political rivals failed to help take away that darkness and get life back to the way it was before the crisis.

So, this time I am not going to vote for someone because someone else would be worse.

I am making my decision based on an appraisal of what I think the parties seem to stand for.

One’s vote should bear some relation to one’s beliefs.

My friends have said they dare not abstain from this election, though they want to, because they couldn’t face Barisan Nasional (BN) or Perikatan Nasional (PN) getting in.

They say the Malay vote will be split three ways with Pakatan Harapan (PH) in the fray. They fear for the worst when it comes to late night deals and pacts.

Be warned that even if you vote PH, the coalition could betray you and join hands with the very people you want out.

Never has the song by Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band – No Matter Who You Vote For, The Government Always Gets In – has more resonance.

I’m not prepared to vote for any of the main parties until we are guaranteed they have cleaned up their act.

When we tell abstainers that it is their moral duty to support one of the candidates, the result will be an election that cannot be judged as a gauge of public feeling.

When this happens, democracy ceases to function.

The argument that a low turnout will do irreversible damage to a democratic order is shallow as it simply signals apathy or cynicism about the political system in general.

For this reason, it is vital that the abstainers are regarded as a part of the political spectrum.

The right not to vote is an essential part of what’s left of our democracy. - FMT

Nisa Nash is a voter and a FMT reader.

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.