Don't Drink And Vote

Tomorrow (Monday) is election day in India. With two-thirds of India's one billion people eligible to vote, India is the world's largest democracy. This year, they will elect 543 Parliament seats. The electoral process (the complex mechanics of which I still don't fully understand) actually started several weeks ago, and takes place in five phases. For months now, the city has been plastered with party rhetoric and election advertisements. Compound walls everywhere are filled with "lotus leaves" - the symbol of one of the political parties.

Since the first voting phase started on April 19, 43 people have been killed in election-related violence, so today across the country more than 1 million security forces have been placed on heightened alert.

This year, the government has decreed that all business establishments must observe Monday as an official holiday to allow everyone to vote, so we have Monday off from work. Beginning 48 hours before the election, the sale of liquor has been forbidden. I'm assuming this is because of the threat of violence following the outcome of the elections. Or maybe, it is just that they want everyone to be sober when they go to cast their vote!

The campaigning officially ended at 5 pm Saturday, and I am happy to see it finally come to a close. Elections here are just as distasteful as they are in the U.S. There are the usual accusations flying back and forth, insults hurled, and election year promises--that can't possibly be kept--being made.

It will be nice to read about something other than the campaign in the newspaper.

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Congratulations to blog-reader Shannon, for being selected Teacher of the Year! You go, girl!  ;o)

Comments

[Tom Stone]

Uh... is it just me or is that a swastika symbol on the political graffiti on that wall in your picture? In the middle-top of the second large symbol. Or is that some other kind of symbol? I wouldn't have thought that a Nazi symbol would appear in India...

[Shannon]

Thanks Basia, That was a nice comment you left in your blog!

[Rajesh]

That's indeed a swastika.... its an ancient hindu symbol.. usurped by Hitler and his ilk for his version of madness.