BANGALORE DISSAPOINTS

The post poll statistics released by the Election Commission cuts a sorry picture of the Indian citizen forming the electorate from Bangalore.
The overall turnout is less than 50% - meaning that people have voted for status-quo (of minority ruling the majority) instead of the much needed change. Lethargy and apathy appears to be much more deep rooted than the initiators of various aggressive and innovative ‘awareness campaigns’ had assumed. Failure to inspire voters to turnout in larger numbers is obviously a serious malaise. Turnout is lower than the previous election in spite of serious attempts to spread the message to “GO VOTE”.
In depth analysis is required to be undertaken to draw meaningful conclusions for the persistent failure of the ordinary citizen to get involved in the only process which is within his/her private control to make a difference.
This state of affairs is a distressing indicator of the ‘REAL’ failure of the much touted “largest democracy” that we pride ourselves to be. May be it is time to consider alternative forms of electoral process starting with rejecting the “First past the post” principle with “50% + 1” concept.
Part of the blame for the poor performance can be attributed to the Election Commission and the legal frame work under which it operates. Relying on archaic systems and Stone Age tools in the midst of IT/ITES environment possibly highlights the fact that our political leaders want to perpetuate existing failures as their strongest weapon against change to protect their turf with the help of the proverbial bureaucrat.
It is only to be hoped that the tentacles of corruption has not infiltrated the Election Commission whereby ‘names disappear’ from the electoral list instigated by party cadres and goons.
Who will bell the cat? You & Me or the EXISTING SYSTEM CONTINUES WHILE WE REMAIN IN SLUMBER AND LEAVE THE FIELD WIDE OPEN FOR THE CORRUPT MINORITY TO CONTROL OUR LIVES?