My encounter with 49 O

Perhaps 49 O was the most talked thing after India’s WC victory in the recent past. Needless to say, my inclination towards 49 O also grew day-by-day thanks to the politicians in the state.

It was the red-letter day, well certainly not for me but for the people who had politics as their profession and looting as their business. I entered the polling booth (not definitely with the aim of changing the destiny of this ill-fated state) at 3.45 in the evening. Women voters were quite high in number when compared to their counterpart. Police was regulating the crowd. I was slowly allowed to enter the booth. Party agents and booth officials were sitting side-by-side. I first decided to check with the presiding officer about the ‘so-called’ availability of 49 O provision (For starters, Presiding officer is the person who is in charge of that particular polling booth).

I don’t know why, but somehow I was reminded of a superb old phrase in Tamil, “Saami varam koduthaalum poosari varam kodukaatha maadiri” which literally means that even when top boss is offering you something, intermediaries are blocking it.

Coming back, I straightaway went to the P.O and dropped the caveat. I’d gathered each and every info about 49 O from my mother (who is also a presiding officer) and from EC’s official website so as to thrash any obstacles in my way. Dare to compete with me. He smirked at me and said, “Then why did you come here in the first instance?”

That was too rude, Mr. Officer. Why don’t you just mind your business?

I went hot and cold. There was a stern reply from my end, “That’s my wish”.

He then raised his tone and directed his subordinates and agents to guide me. When I turned around, I found it difficult to compete against 7 to 9 pair of staring eyes.

No, I’m not an alien. I came here to cast my opposition.

For the next few minutes, I was literally walking in a utopian world. The agents didn’t raise any objection and guided me in registering my opposition. Quite honestly, I was under different expectation. I signed in 17-A form where the last column read as, “enakku vote poda viruppamillai – I don’t want to vote”.

I didn’t achieve anything but there was a sense of gratification all over my mind and I was smiling all the way. And the clock was ticking 4.03. Not surprisingly I was the odd man out there and when I was rushing out of the booth, an old lady made a remark in an hushing tone,” Why is he doing such insane thing?”. Old lady- It’s an altogether different concept. I kept on smiling.

Admittedly the system in its current state is not entirely error-free. It has some in-built flaws,

First, it trumpets to the outside world about your intention in voting. It may appear fine in urban area but for semi-urban and rural sector which is characterized by closely knit society, it mayn’t attract the target audience for whatsoever reasons.

Second, EC actually prohibits everyone from openly stating anything about ‘to whom did they vote?’ This directive has also gone for a toss as there is no provision for recording your opposition in the voting machine.

Third, it is evident that the current system isn’t going to yield any fruitful result unless it goes for some modification. Quite confused, suppose if 99% of voters in a constituency opt for 49 O, EC is anyhow going to declare the winner with the remaining votes in the modern ballot box. If that’s the case, What about the bitterness, anger, agony and frustration of the people who refused to vote? Does republic really mean ‘rule by majority’?

Having said that, some of the election proceeding are signs of faith, hope, belief and optimism,

1. The Election Commission finally understood the purpose for which it was created and isn’t succumbing to pressure and power at least in this election.
2. Huge turnout in the election. 75-80% - My goodness, this is something miraculous. If it is due to the increasing awareness, that’s fine but if it is otherwise, long live the democracy.

In a progressive country, change is constant; change is inevitable.

- Benjamin Disraeli.

Hoping for a good future in the near future.!!!!!!

P.S: I was one of the three voters in my constituency who chose 49 O.