My first elections
IHAVE never voted before. I have voted for the netball club leadership, polls on Instagram and class monitor, but I have never voted in the General Elections. That’s all everyone is talking about these days. I keep getting interesting things on WhatsApp such as voting techniques (there’s a technique? Don’t we just tick a box?), what time to arrive at the polling station to avoid crowds (apparently, afternoon is best) and that some big ice-cream chain will give you free ice-cream if you show it your inked thumb (I hope this happens again).
In all honesty, I am extremely excited over the General Elections. As weird as this may seem, I feel some sort of power within myself, and although I know my one vote probably won’t make an impact, I chose to believe that in some small way my existence in this country matters. If we all believe that our “one” vote is going to count — that is the birth of change.
Maybe the excitement is also driven by the colourful blue, green and apparently, orange (this is new to me!) flags that have popped up on buildings, cars and all over the country overnight. One night I went to bed and the next morning the bridge, which I can see from my window, is plastered with flags and logos. It’s truly an experience! I also hope whoever is responsible takes down the flags after the election #civicdutyplease.
First time voter
This is my first elections. I have not voted before because this is the first time I’m old enough to vote while I’m in the country. I know that 28 is a ridiculous age to be a first-time voter, but I was abroad in my early adult years.
There was once when I was eligible to vote when I was in Canada, but there was a lot of kerfuffle about the legitimacy of our votes from abroad and if they were even going to arrive in Malaysia on time, etc, so I just abandoned the thought.
However, last year when there was a wave of news on how everyone should re-gister as voters, I immediately jumped on the bandwagon. Being a political science graduate, I have studied the powers of democracy, theories of collective voting and our rights. I am not going to let the idealistic political science nerd in me die!
Last year, I went to Pos Malaysia at the crack of dawn and found a queue in front of me — did they camp there overnight? After almost two hours of waiting, I walked away from the Pos Malaysia branch with my official voting documents. It was a proud day!
Don’t get me wrong, I am far from political. I have not educated myself enough about the Malaysian political system (and I’m highly embarrassed, I should know more about the governance!) but like most Malaysians I know, the basics and the perceived controversies dampen my interest because I don’t like negativity. Plus it’s too much to keep up with! I only know what my uncles randomly send to a Whatsapp family group (who else experiences this, hands up!)
I do not know which political party’s agendas and figureheads resonate with me. I am not truly swung one way or the other and most of us can agree that there will never be one party or government that we can agree with 100 per cent. So I will do the next best thing — go with my heart and decide using my own perspective.
MAKE YOUR OWN DECISION
That’s the best we can do, because as they say “undi adalah rahsia” (your vote is a secret) and no one has a right over your vote.
If you are a first-time voter like me, don’t be impacted by how your parents are voting, which way your friends are swinging or by the colour of flags in your neighbourhood. Just go with what you believe and what you know. But do vote.
It is our responsibility. We are fortunate to have a democratic process, one that allows us to be a part of it. At the end of the day, we are all equal citizens of Malaysia and we owe it to her to take charge and do our best to put her in the hands we believe will take her and all of us to a better future.
We have our freedom and we have our vote, and I hope many of you will come out to exercise your right on May 9.
Why, we may even bump into each other at my voting area, my husband’s (we’re voting in different constituencies) or at the icecream place.
We are all equal citizens of Malaysia and we owe it to her to take charge and do our best to put her in the hands we believe will take her and all of us to a better future.