Political apathy is a common thing, at least in my part of the world. Many people have no interest in political matters and governance, nor do they care to be involved in the processes. For some reasons such as distrust in the government, lack of confidence in the system and the common notion and perception that politics is a dirty game. When you look critically, in some countries, you can't blame people for having this apathy towards political matters.
As a citizen, I've tried to develop interest in the politics and governance of my nation. Over time, I got to know some things and saw more reason to be involved. I think the best response to one's disdain for the system is to get involved one way or another. However, it gets harder to continue in such a manner when the system keeps showing up as a joke and ridicule of what it's meant to be. This contributes to people being nonchalant about politics and governance.
A major area we see this reflected is voting during elections. I've come across people eligible to vote but have never voted in any election, and those who have been voting but have chosen not to “waste” their time again. It's a concern when citizens begin to make such decisions. Still, can we blame them? Voting is a right, and it's important. Since it's so, should voting be made mandatory? And should citizens who fail to vote during elections be arrested and tried in court?
As much as it's a right, an obligation and important for every eligible citizen to exercise their franchise, it shouldn't be made mandatory. I don't support people being apathetic to political matters like voting because these are duties of a citizen. But then, it shouldn't be made a criminal offence. It'll be taking away a citizen’s right to ensure they use another right that they have. People should vote out of their own will not because they're mandated to.
It's democracy, right? Not dictatorship or totalitarianism. So people shouldn't be forced under this system of government. If a citizen doesn't want to vote for some good or no good reason, that's up to them. The best that should be done is to make them see why they need to vote during elections and understand it as a duty/obligation binding on them as citizens. Also, as their right to have equal say in the decisions of governance in their nation.
Making it mandatory and involving legal punishments when a citizen fails to vote will only make things worse. When they go out to vote, it won't be because they want to exercise their franchise and genuinely make the right decisions for the good of the people. It'll be out of fear and them evading legal punishments they're not ready to face. This won't only affect their right, but it will have effects on the kind of leaders that will come into power.
Since they're not doing it out of personal will, who they choose doesn't matter to them so long as they vote and avoid prosecution. Some of our countries are already struggling with electoral issues like vote buying. This will only heighten it, making things worse. We can't afford to have people making such defining decisions because they were forced, and nothing but that. The exercise of one's franchise should be done as a willful, recognised and understood obligation.
Image is AI generated.
