Power Of Voters

Democracy is at its strongest when all voices are heard. As the election draws near, it becomes increasingly important for first-time voters like myself to understand the significance and importance of our individual votes. Voting is a vital civic duty that we must all do for society's growth and prosperity. Voting is an important tool that gives individuals the power and ability to elect the leaders they wish to see bring forth change in society and reform it for the better. Encouraging your peers and family to vote as well is equally important, as every single vote counts towards the benefit of your society, especially with recent and historical political turmoil that has plagued Nepal. It is now increasingly important that everyone pays as much attention as possible to the recent election and votes for the best candidate.

The importance of elections is not to be undervalued, as it plays the most important role in ensuring a comfortable day-to-day life for every citizen. By choosing a responsible and competent leader, individuals can expect their quality of life to significantly improve. The results of a successful election are reflected throughout a community, as every little change brought by leaders counts. 

Voting is an immensely powerful tool, which, if used correctly, can bring forth wonderful changes or create a state of extreme suffering with corrupted governments neglecting their citizens and using taxpayer funds for their personal gain. The majority of the country pays taxes, and as citizens, we have the right to decide where our money goes, it's especially crucial to elect leaders who are capable of bringing forth proper change and not falling into the hands of corruption.

Similarly, every single vote counts, as there have been multiple instances throughout the world of politicians winning by mere one-digit amounts. Every vote holds equal value and contributes significantly to placing people in power. Believing your single vote won't contribute does not help in upholding democracy and maintaining an equal society. Hence, it is of utmost importance that we view our votes as equally important and make sure to partake in the election, as this could be a moment of massive change for our nation.

However, while we have many information tools at our disposal, in recent times it's also important to be aware of the information that we are consuming, as during election time, misinformation is rampant. Social media apps like Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp are a breeding ground for misinformation, as people may attempt to fabricate information for their own political party’s personal gain, which is precisely why extra attention must be paid to what kind of information we choose to consume during times of political activity. It is essential to verify information. Similarly, due to the recent rise of AI-generated content, it is especially essential to fact-check and confirm that the information we have received is the full and proper truth.

All voters must take careful consideration into who they will be voting for during the election and make sure they are well prepared. While it may be unfamiliar and scary for many first-time voters such as myself, we must do our best and make sure to go vote if we can, as every single vote matters when it comes to reforming our society for the better.

(Awasthi, who just completed her A-level, is voting for the first time.)