Elections-Ends or Means

This article has been published on Lamka Post, www.zogam.com, www.zogamonline.com, www.e-pao.net and www.youthejournalist.com

With Manipur going to the polls in February, every other day newspapers carry reports of the MLAs visiting/touring their constituencies and handing out goodies to the populace. Unfortunately the people lapping them up in cheerful glee. And fall for these cheap election gimmicks of the sly politicians. This is nothing new in Manipur especially in the hills where politicians are exploiting the innocent and gullible masses to the hilt.

Elections are really hard times for the people and serve little or no purpose in improving the plight of the people. It is a time when alliances are made and unmade, a time for making a quick buck, a time when your next-door neighbour becomes your enemy. It is a time when friendships are broken and trusts are betrayed. Booth capturing and poll riggings have become the norm. And underground organizations are known to openly support their own choice of candidates. And the whole process of elections has become a farce – a mockery of democracy.

Let us see in the context of Churachandpur. I was personally there at the time of the Assembly Election in 2000. And I have been to election campaigns of the two main contenders. What I have seen there is not an election campaign. It is pure character assisination. The candidates did, never once, outlined their policies and programmes (manifestoes) but just launched personal attacks on their rivals. This is just ridiculous. And the crowed seems to enjoy these to the hilt. There were loud cheers and clapping of hands for the all the personal attacks that the candidates indulged in. The situation may not be so different this time round.

The public is no better. I have seen some cases of sheer madness – there was a case where one family did not allow its neighbours to draw water from their well because the neighbours were supporting the rival party and neighbours were not even on talking terms. I do not blame the candidates for these trivial things. It is their supporters who in moments of madness resorted to such foolish practices.

Elections have become an end in itself and not the means to an end. Politicians are out to exploit the people and the people are making every opportunity to grab a few thousand bucks from the politicians. It is a vicious cycle from which there seems to be no escape in the near future.
It is time that we moved on. We have been through enough of this - petty politics, quick bucks and narrow-mindedness. Let us try to expand our horizons and look at the big picture. Elections are times to frame policies and programs. A time to think of our future and work towards the larger good of the society. Elections should be the means to an end and not an end in itself. The end being good governance, development, growth, empowerment and general well being of the public at large and not only a section of the populace.

How long are we going to fall for the cheap political gimmicks of our politicians? When are we going to let them face the music? How long will we be content with just a few thousand bucks at the time of elections? When will we all work together for the betterment of our society and not just run around for personal gains? As we go to the polls once again, let these questions be in the minds of all and let us strive to work together for our future – a more prosperous and developed society. Lest we face the consequences.