BY MENGESHA AMARE
On 21st June, 2021, Monday morning I straightforward went to the polling station to cast my vote to the party whom I believe can serve the nation well and unwaveringly safeguard its sovereignty as well as serving the electorate impartially and responsibly. Of course, I participated in the latter two elections before this one, but could hardly notice what happened there as hustles and bustles on the side of deliberately deployed election coordinators and executors—probably purposely designated cadres.
I came across a long queue as soon as I arrived at the place where I took out my card for voting. Right after my arrival, I was given a chance to carry on voting as I informed the coordinator that I am a journalist and have been assigned to different places for a series of assignments in relation to reporting.
The executor understood me and provided me with a priority for voting. Having received the long sheet of paper containing candidates to be members of the municipality of Addis Ababa and a small sheet of paper containing candidates for House of People’s Representatives, I started putting a tick (<) on the box prepared against candidates. After a while, a woman came directly to me without putting any mark on the papers.
I immediately wrapped mine and asked her why didn’t she put any mark on the papers, and why didn’t she bring a person for help if she didn’t know how to choose her preference?
She said, “Earlier, during the last four elections I mean, people who were coordinating received the papers from me and did whatever they like on the paper and told me ‘You have finished mom, go home now,’ and I went home as I had finished doing what is expected of me. I thought that the same fashion could be applied and came here lonely.”
As to her, since there is no person who could interfere in whatever she did and guided her to do this and not to do that the paper was plainly inserted.
The woman’s papers were inserted in the transparent box with no sign at all. This means the precious voice of the woman was of no effect at all where it should have been given to a certain party.
I modestly deduced from the scenario that the past five elections motors were the recruited cadres of the ruling party—who can be taken as cancerous for democracy. Mine was not a single incidence as there were a number of similar circumstances at every polling station nationwide though they are very sporadic.
However, hereafter all Ethiopians will trek in the right direction with regard to election, democratic move, exercising rights through ballot box and entertaining their own consent.
True, elections have become a major factor in the stabilization and democratization of emerging democracies like ours. Five solid elections were held in Ethiopia previously. However, the risk of a relapse into war and violence was considerable as public votes had been looted by fraudulent and partisan cadres. Hence, these were a tightrope walk between war and peace, stability and instability.
Ethiopia really successfully conducted free, fair, credible and democratic national elections from which important lessons can be drawn.
Of the relentless effort of the reformist government to help the nation join a democratic arena, the establishment of an independent, well-functioning and impartial Election Board comes at the forefront.
Despite their resounding rhetoric on the need for democracy and free and fair elections, the international community more often than not has failed to insist on the implementation of the free, fair and legitimate voting.
The well set up democratic stride in Ethiopia following the 6th national elections will unwaveringly provide the country with confidence and courage in due course of building democracy.
This election in Ethiopia can confidently be considered as one of the main boulevards to the successful introduction of multiparty democracy and comprehensive electoral system.
Generally, it is considered to be more prudent to start a democratic journey. Even for the general public, elections are more relevant for their day-to-day lives than national ones.
Without a shadow of doubt, the struggle for better governance and democracy will continue in the developing nations like Ethiopia for decades to come as elections will play an important role in this struggle despite all the risks and problems they entail. To achieve this element of trust, complaints and appeals processes have to be handled in a way to satisfy public thirst.
In a nut shell, public participation is the bedrock on which democracy rests. It enriches democracy by helping people ensure better decision-making and strengthening politicians’ accountability. It helps build strong democratic parliaments, which in turn play a vital role in ensuring peace, development and respect for human rights nationwide.
Taking part in democracy is something that everyone can and should do, at different levels and in different ways. For instance, public participation can be manifested as a vital and guiding principle of democratic governance, based on the belief that everyone who is affected by a decision has a right to be involved in the decision-making process and it is crucial to increasing democracy’s effectiveness, strengthening citizens’ trust in authorities, and achieving better governance.
Undeniably, people have both rights and responsibilities to take part in democracy. This includes formal participation such as voting in elections or standing for election, and informal involvement such as informing themselves about public affairs, having political conversations, demonstrating tolerance for views that differ from their own.
Yes, election should be conducted expanding electorate free will and consent to elect whom they prefer without any fraudulent acts, duress, and all forms of irresponsible gesture.
The case of the woman cited from the outset has to be buried forever and election executors or concerned authorities have a responsibility to provide the public with education, information and encouragement for public participation prior to conducting elections so as to avoid all forms of inconveniences.
Editor’s Note: The views entertained in this article do not necessarily reflect the stance of The Ethiopian Herald
The Ethiopian Herald June 30/2021
