The Importance of ONE vote

Recently, Vidhan Sabha elections for NCT of Delhi were conducted. This was my first experience in voting for state elections, well, second time counting the Lok Sabha election in 2024. In both these elections, I asked myself, what was my role in making the government, so to say? It’s not as if I am the deciding vote. My opinion is infinitesimally small when it comes to the grand scale of things, most of which I have little to no knowledge about. Then why should I even bother to choose which party will do good for our nation? Why should I even vote?

At this point, I know what you're probably thinking – a million people are asking the same questions. After all, your vote in the grand scheme of things seems like a drop in the ocean, right? Think about it: the sheer scale of elections, the millions of voters, and the mountain of political rhetoric we’re flooded with every election cycle. You’re there, standing in the voting booth, staring at a list of parties, wondering if you’re the only one who doesn’t know who should get your vote. It's not like a single vote is going to change the outcome of an election, is it? Sure, your individual vote won’t swing the election, but we’re missing the bigger picture here.

I now believe this to be a question that every individual needs to ask themselves before they decide to move ahead with choosing who to vote for, especially the young adults, the ones who recently entered the voting list. Rather than going for what your family suggests you do, or some adult who you see as your mentor, think of what “voting” means to you. Think of what you will gain out of it.

Let’s break it down. The first option here is the emotional approach—some people feel a deep connection to a party because they resonate with the values and morals that party stands for. This connection isn’t necessarily about what might benefit the country as a whole, but rather how that party seems to handle issues that align with personal beliefs or concerns. You’ll see this often in people who vote because they feel “this party represents my values!” It’s almost like an emotional response—a party that feels like a reflection of your own identity or a group that validates your own point of view. So you cast your vote, in the hopes that this party will bring change based on what you think is the right thing.

But, wait, let’s take a more analytical approach now. The second perspective would be to analyze the work done by the ruling party, and the track record of other contenders, in different areas—or just a few, depending on what issues you care about. It's all about evaluating performance, right? You could start considering metrics—what has this party done in healthcare, infrastructure, or education? Has the opposition proposed any meaningful alternatives? What about their historical record? The numbers, statistics, policies, and facts. This approach is for the critical thinkers—the ones who aren’t swayed by the emotional drama of political slogans and who want a well-rounded, logical reason to pick one over the other. Analytical, calculated, and slightly detached from the noise of the circus around you.

For those of us still in doubt, the essence of the question, and in many ways, the purpose of this blog, boils down to: did you find an answer yet? Were you able to relate to either one of the two perspectives? And if not, does it really matter?

Here’s the thing. The Constitution gives us, the people, the right to vote and elect the candidates we consider right for us. Candidates who represent us. The idea here is that the people we elect should speak up for us, raise the questions we would have if we were in their shoes, and fight for the rights we care about. If it were not important, the founders of the Constitution wouldn’t have felt the need to empower the people of the nation with this immense responsibility. But no, let’s pretend for a moment that it’s not. After all, it's just voting, right? Nothing earth-shattering. Right?

But here’s a more personal question: can we now sum this down to whether you wish good for yourself? I mean, do you wish laws be made so that they satisfy your needs, your desires, and your hopes for a better society? No pressure, but your vote is your voice in shaping that very future. This is your opportunity to be an active participant in deciding what your future could look like, at least in theory. So why not take it seriously?

On a personal note, the first time casting a vote felt more like a thrill of doing something the elders so proudly discussed, irrespective of what the outcome would be. It was like, "Look at me, I’m part of the club now!" A rite of passage, if you will. What went into choosing my candidate, however? Frankly, I didn’t know much. It was just an exciting first time for something. A milestone. Cut to the recent elections, though. With a greater sense of maturity and understanding of the subject (yes, knowledge about the nuances of governance can be surprisingly hard to come by), my experience felt much heavier. It felt like something had shifted. There I was, standing at the booth, waiting to press that button which casts my vote against a symbol, and suddenly, it felt like I was holding the responsibility of a whole nation in my hands. What if I messed this up? What if my vote ended up being the reason things went sideways? (Slight overthinking, but you get the point.)

And that’s when I felt it—the gravity. It wasn’t about the thrill anymore. It was about understanding the weight of what I was doing. Sure, I’m still just a drop in the ocean, but now I know that every drop contributes to the tide. Whether or not my vote directly impacts the result, it’s about being a responsible citizen, participating in the democratic process, and being awake to the choices that affect the future of our country.

So yeah, it’s absurd, really. But what makes it all fun is being able to participate in the endless debates, cussing, and bitching the adults do when it comes to tearing down the work done by the contesting candidates and their respective parties. The shift from nostalgia about how the party "used to be in its glory days" to discussing the political struggles and issues of the nation as a whole... Just love it! In a way, voting doesn’t just give us a chance to pick a party; it lets us be a part of the national conversation, adding our voice to the chorus, however small it may seem. And in that chaos, we find our place.

If nothing else, it’s fun to be part of the drama. Because hey, democracy without a bit of drama would be pretty boring, don’t you think?

So, at the end of the day, whether or not you believe your vote is decisive, ask yourself—do you really want to be that person who lets someone else decide your future? Because voting isn’t just about “choosing a side”—it’s about making your own stand. And if you don’t take that seriously, well, you’ll have plenty of time to criticize the system later, won’t you?