Our continuous search for hope
Much has been said during the campaign and most of the statements made in public gatherings and social media are acerbic and have no bearing at all with the platform of government espoused by the candidates. Instead of debating on platforms, candidates and their allies focused on the person and his vices and defects rather than on the merits of his proposition. As a result, the May 9, 2022 national and local elections left us with scars and dents on our egos. Be that as it may, the recently concluded elections taught us important lessons worth pondering.
One lesson is that there is always an end to every political dynasty. We saw the fall of some political dynasties. These families were once believed to be invincible as if they own a title to key elective positions in government. Family members simply take turns once an incumbent reaches the three-term limit of his office. In our very own province, we saw how an entire family was rejected by the electorate when not one of the family members who ran for local posts won. In all these instances, the electorate’s message is clear that no person can ever have a vested right to public office and that no amount of money can persuade the people to give the ruling family a perpetual mandate.But since our political system in the country is not built on solid foundation, dynasties are reborn every now and then.
Another important lesson to learn is that vote-buying does not always guarantee success in the elections. Reports of massive vote-buying have circulated in the internet. The act definitely is not only illegal but also immoral. Some holier-than-thou crusaders even went below the belt by calling those who voted for the winning candidate accused of vote-buying as “bobo”. However, there are stories that would show that money is not the be all and end all to get elected. In one locality, the last-ditch effort of a candidate to persuade the voters with the lure of money has fuelled the ‘revolt of the masses’ whose votes were thought to be just worth a penny.
Finally, voters, no matter how lowly their status in life is, can never be underestimated in choosing their leaders. Beyond a pittance brandished before their very own eyes, they too look beyond material things through the lenses of their own ideals and aspirations. If one wonders why his honesty does not seem to attract the voters to rally behind his cause, he needs to realize that may be his value proposition is egocentric and the people simply feel alienated by the panacea he offers.
The election is the people’s continuous search for hope. He who inspires hope in people deserves to lead them to greatness. He who sows anger and resentment deserves a life in solitude.