Political Perspective

MANY Namibians seem to be grappling with the issue of whether, if they vote, anything will change.

This is probably a classic dilemma for many voters the world over for various reasons. Whatever the rationale for people to stay away from the polls, it remains important to vote in order to affirm democracies.FOR Namibians, a number of different elections are on the horizon.Local government elections as we speak; parliamentary and presidential later in the year.Different countries present different dilemmas for voters.Except perhaps in Australia where people have to vote whether they like it or not! There are many different reasons for apathetic voting patterns.Comparatively, Namibia’s is not high.To some extent people are still riding high on the relative novelty of elections coming not too many years in the wake of Independence.But there are indications that enthusiasm is waning, and it is important that all stakeholders in this process try to prevent a decline into negligible or low voter turnout.A vote is always worth something, even though it may not seem like it at the time.Just think about the hundreds of thousands of Americans who did not vote when Bush came to power.Had they done so, and cast their vote for the Democrats, this huge prospective voting block could certainly have changed the course of history, and I don’t need to elaborate further.Most people are aware of what President Bush has done to the world and, in my view, it has not been to make it a better place.Hopefully in that country, voters will be spurred into action this time around! In Namibia, where one political party dominates, a lot of people who want to swim against the current may feel that their vote will make no difference.And it might not, of course, immediately unseat a political party or candidate they want out, but these things take time.And it would be unfortunate if the pattern is created of only the supporters of a dominant political party deciding to cast their ballots.Electoral systems also play a role in apathy.Namibia’s democracy and voting processes would probably be infused with new energy if we were to consider a mixed electoral system, rather than simple proportional representation.Nothing wrong with the latter per se, but at the end of the day you’re voting for a party rather than a person; and people may be more energised about going to the polls if they truly feel they can get their candidate in or get one out! Although its generally considered the task of the electoral commission and various political parties to educate the electorate, the latter should take it upon themselves to know what the issues are.Too often absolute ignorance is displayed (they don’t know the parties or the processes, among others) and there is really no excuse for this as Namibians have had a couple of years in which to practice.In democracies, someone once said, people get the governments they deserve, and if they don’t turn out for or against change, then they have only themselves to blame.Governments too, though, contribute to voter apathy by really losing touch with the electorate except when it comes to polling time.Then the parties are suddenly galvanised into action, touting for votes in all corners of the country (and often using government facilities to do so!).But once the mandate has been attained, they often forget the very people who put them in power.So it is important, too, that political parties be inclusive and consultative with their constituencies and supporters on an ongoing basis.Elections alone do not make a democracy work.There is this (I believe incorrect) perception at work.Democracy needs this, but it needs other facets as well in order to properly serve the people.But it’s a good start if people mobilise themselves to get to the polls.They may feel they lack choices, but even a spoiled ballot puts a message across.Whatever the rationale for people to stay away from the polls, it remains important to vote in order to affirm democracies. FOR Namibians, a number of different elections are on the horizon.Local government elections as we speak; parliamentary and presidential later in the year.Different countries present different dilemmas for voters.Except perhaps in Australia where people have to vote whether they like it or not! There are many different reasons for apathetic voting patterns.Comparatively, Namibia’s is not high.To some extent people are still riding high on the relative novelty of elections coming not too many years in the wake of Independence.But there are indications that enthusiasm is waning, and it is important that all stakeholders in this process try to prevent a decline into negligible or low voter turnout.A vote is always worth something, even though it may not seem like it at the time.Just think about the hundreds of thousands of Americans who did not vote when Bush came to power.Had they done so, and cast their vote for the Democrats, this huge prospective voting block could certainly have changed the course of history, and I don’t need to elaborate further.Most people are aware of what President Bush has done to the world and, in my view, it has not been to make it a better place.Hopefully in that country, voters will be spurred into action this time around! In Namibia, where one political party dominates, a lot of people who want to swim against the current may feel that their vote will make no difference.And it might not, of course, immediately unseat a political party or candidate they want out, but these things take time.And it would be unfortunate if the pattern is created of only the supporters of a dominant political party deciding to cast their ballots.Electoral systems also play a role in apathy.Namibia’s democracy and voting processes would probably be infused with new energy if we were to consider a mixed electoral system, rather than simple proportional representation.Nothing wrong with the latter per se, but at the end of the day you’re voting for a party rather than a person; and people may be more energised about going to the polls if they truly feel they can get their candidate in or get one out! Although its generally considered the task of the electoral commission and various political parties to educate the electorate, the latter should take it upon themselves to know what the issues are.Too often absolute ignorance is displayed (they don’t know the parties or the processes, among others) and there is really no excuse for this as Namibians have had a couple of years in which to practice.In democracies, someone once said, people get the governments they deserve, and if they don’t turn out for or against change, then they have only themselves to blame.Governments too, though, contribute to voter apathy by really losing touch with the electorate except when it comes to polling time.Then the parties are suddenly galvanised into action, touting for votes in all corners of the country (and often using government facilities to do so!).But once the mandate has been attained, they often forget the very people who put them in power.So it is important, too, that political parties be inclusive and consultative with their constituencies and supporters on an ongoing basis.Elections alone do not make a democracy work.There is this (I believe incorrect) perception at work.Democracy needs this, but it needs other facets as well in order to properly serve the people.But it’s a good start if people mobilise themselves to get to the polls.They may feel they lack choices, but even a spoiled ballot puts a message across.