Dear Members,
Those who stay away from the election think that one vote will do no good: ‘Tis but one step more to think one vote will do no harm. – Ralph Waldo Emerson
Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, and you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost. – John Quincy Adams
Let these words of great minds inspire you, and you will get an answer to the basic questions which I am sure must be in your minds:
“Must one vote?”
“Should one vote?”
Elections of our Institute are scheduled for the 7th & 8th December. They are just a month away. At this juncture I would like to share my views on our duty and role, and why each one of us should vote.
We live in a democracy and that means we get a say in who runs our country, and how Your country is run. This is equally true with our Institute.
Today, we are surrounded with an unstable Government, political games being played everywhere. We come across cases of frauds that cannot be digested and which we never imagined would take place. Here, our fraternity is being looked at with great expectations, and our Institute has to play a big role in such a situation. When we say the Institute, it is we who play a major role, as we elect a few amongst us to represent us in the Institute. So the onus is on us to select a right candidate and the right team. It is we who can make a difference by selecting the right team, and that is possible when we get involved in the process. The first step towards that is to exercise our right and discharge our duty to vote, by taking the right and rational decision and casting a meaningful vote.
Remember elections are more than a process of voting for someone to represent us. It is a right and a responsibility. We cannot give up the power and let other people make our decision by not casting our vote. We need to keep our eyes open and make the decision ourselves.
It is very easy to be blasé about our right to vote and take a “whatever, who cares” kind of attitude about it, but if you ask me, not to vote is to abdicate our responsibility. Surely, voting involves some time , effort and cost. However, not casting your vote may result in the right candidate not being elected and that is too steep a price to pay.
Surely, the two basic questions posed earlier will come to your mind. So let me attempt to help you find the answer to that.
In my view, and as I look at it, voting is not an ethical obligation. Nor it is compulsory by the Act; voting is something as an Individual may do, not something we must, like pay taxes and attend school, and now after becoming CA’s attend seminars to get CPE hours. Many democracies have tried compulsory voting. Belgium, for example, introduced such a requirement as early as 1892, Argentina in 1914. Some later rescinded these measures, and whereever they remain they are not always vigorously enforced. In countries where this right exists, people do not value it and in others where it does not, people are literally dying to be able to cast a ballot and make a difference.
I, for one would think of voting as a prime duty. And as a Chartered Accountant, I would surely not like measures which compel me to go & vote, eg Vote and get “x” no of CPE hours. I believe that forcing people to vote will not encourage them to learn about the consequences of their vote. I believe in the old philosophy that says, “If you don’t vote, you can’t complain.” It was true then, and it is true now.
Today, most of the voters wonder whether One Person’s Vote Really Matters, but the fact remains that “every vote counts.” When you do not vote, you do not participate in a democratic process and your action not to vote might harm you, and will give a feeling that the things that matter to you are moving away. It’s the question of your professional security.
A healthy democracy requires an educated and engaged population, and we are amongst that fortunate lot. So I would urge that each one of you should go to the polling place on Election Day and vote, as we are highly educated and respected all over, and we should set the standard of the highest turnout ratio, so that in the forthcoming parliamentary elections, the government should quote our example to motivate the rest of the population .
My earnest request to all is – “Educate yourself on the issues and candidates, then vote. All of this is your civic duty.” But “just vote” is succinct.
And do remember the words of Andrew Lack: “Bad officials are elected by good citizens who do not vote”.
At BCAS, looking at the statistics of low turnouts in the past for voting, it would be our endeavour to get people to vote, not for anyone in particular, but as an expression of civic virtue. Vote for the candidate of your choice, but vote, and fulfill your duty of a responsible professional.
At BCAS, we would make all attempts to share with you, views of seniors and other professionals, on election and what they feel about the whole process, and how one can make a difference. If you can come up with better ways to encourage members to vote and otherwise participate in the democratic process, please do write to me at president@bcasonline.org.
With Diwali just round the corner, it’s time to celebrate with loved ones and friends. I am sure everyone would have made plans to be with family and friends to enjoy the festival of lights.
I on behalf of the entire BCAS family take the opportunity to wish each one of you and your family a very HAPPY DIWALI & HAPPY NEW YEAR.
With Warm Regards,
Yours truly,
Deepak R. Shah
