No matter what zip code we live in or the color of our skin, our voices are equal at the ballot box

Bijenti Irengbam *

Every time there is an election, there are winners and there are losers. And there are the voters who get to make that choice. Politics is often presented as a conversation between winners and losers, those who are for and those who are against a particular issue.

No one wins in the long run when we are so divided that we leave half of us behind. Elections allow citizens to choose their leaders and hold them responsible for their actions while in Government.

As Dr Martin Luther King Jr. said, “We start to die when we become silent about the things that really matter.”

Voting as a covenant is an agreement between two groups. The voter says: I will give my authority to the candidate to represent me. The candidate says: I will take power from the people who voted for me and I surrender my individual desire to make decisions on my own behalf in the best interest. It is an exchange of power.

Hopes in Manipur do not easily fade away. Almost a third of our youth are unemployed driving thousands to risk their lives on journeys in search of jobs all over India. Young people have Masters degrees but they’re selling coffee on the side of the street or are selling momos. To reduce unemployment, we must seek to solve and eradicate the level of corruption in our State. Unemployment situation in our State reflects the low economy of our State.

Those States which have strong economy have more opportunities for jobs. Work provision is certainly every Government’s responsibility to its citizens. Work gives a sense of direction, purpose, order, and dignity to man.

Joblessness undermines one’s dignity and sense of belonging. It constitutes a source of unwarranted thoughts, and negative tendencies in the mind. That is why, since the 1980s, the fight against corruption has been a priority of international policies and development debates.

Corruption is a social issue and spoils every sector of the society. Countdown to Chaos is for the patriots out there—the folks who stand firm for what they believe in, no matter which way the wind is blowing. It’s for the families working hard to keep their homes safe and secure, and for everyone who believe in the core values that this State was built on.

We are not just deciding on the next leader of our Nation; we are choosing the direction in which our society will move. And so if we really want to see that, we want things to go back to normal then, you know, vote time is the time to show that.

But overall, we want democracy intact. This is our home, you know. So we want to be here, we want to prosper. The people have lost all confidence in the Government. This is the main reason why so many social conflicts ultimately erupt into violence.

Politics played a big part in the life of this town. Campaigns were hot, and there was always a big celebration afterwards. … Votes used to be bought – that is before the secret ballot was adopted. Some sold ‘em pretty cheap.

“Voting is your voice in your Government. It is our chance to say what you think is important and who you want to represent you” – Michelle Obama. “Your vote is your opportunity to make a difference. Use it wisely” Anonymous. Vote for candidates who will fight for our future. We have the power to change the world. Political candidates come with different ideologies, plans, and visions for a Nation.

Choosing the right political candidate can be a daunting task for us as citizens. Corruption, and unemployment have persisted for years, hampering the Nation’s growth. To overcome these challenges, politics needs to become more than just a phrase; it must become a dynamic force that takes the reins of leadership.

Deciding if a candidate will be a good leader is difficult. How can we know if someone will be honest, open, or able to act under pressure if elected to office ?

It was exactly May 3rd, 2023, in the evening when the villagers heard gunshots, then the villagers began to run for their life, as many were wounded and many died after being hit by stray bullets. But should our Government just watch and allow this ethnic clash to carry on ? What assurance do we have that we can get a better candidate to rule and govern our State.

Well nevertheless let’s see how this Election is going to look like. Political leaders accuse one another of lying on a regular basis and media stories frequently portray political leaders as promise-breakers. Democracy would benefit if both politicians and citizens paid closer attention to the substantive content of party platforms before, during and after elections.

Elections have historically been marred by fraud, intimidation, and political violence while vote-buying and selling has increased in recent years. Let the flags swing, let the lions roar and the moments rain.

If wishes were horses, beggars would ride. Across tribes, social classes, regions, languages, and religion, now we have found a common goal; to sweep out the old order and those loyal to the establishment by any legal and Constitutional means possible!

Social media is now a key route through which people get information about elections and politics, a way for us to share our own media creations, and frequently a pathway to many forms of civic engagement. How do we decide who to vote for ? People care more about candidates’ issues than their personal qualities, and prize candidates who have a vision for bringing change.

Public service is just that, serving the needs of the people above the needs of self. One must also consider, as a servant leader, if you are the best person for the job or if someone else is more equipped. When looking at candidates to support, we should ask these questions: What are they committed to ? Where do our values align with their value ? Our vote is an important choice that can have major repercussions in the future.

So, we need to consider the problems in our State that no affect us as a citizen and decide which candidate is capable of mitigating those issues.

Decide what we are looking for in an election candidate. Leadership qualities, think about the characteristics we want in an effective leader. Actions speak louder than words. This is probably ground zero when it comes to evaluating which candidates you feel deserve your vote.

It’s the most basic question we can ask ourself in politics: does this candidate believe what I believe in ? Are their values my values ? These are arguably the most important questions to ask ourself before voting.