It is very noticeable that it is time for elections. There are parties’ posters everywhere in the city. As a foreigner I am not allowed to vote but this doesn’t mean that I don’t have an opinion.
The opinion I have to express is not about one party or another but rather about the importance of voting. There are quite a few people that I know who do not vote. They say that it is because it won’t change anything. I just can’t get my head around this idea; if you don’t vote then it really won’t change anything!
In Brazil it is compulsory to vote from the time one turns 18 until the age of 65. Between the ages of 16 and 18 and from the age of 65 onwards you can vote if you wish but it is no longer compulsory. I’ve been voting since I’ve been allowed to. My vote is my voice and it is my right. I believe that this is the time we have to decide the future of our country and we must take ownership of that. But with the right to vote comes the obligation - we must take the time to understand what each candidate is proposing and see if it is realistic. We must also look at the history of the candidates and see what they have done for the people so far.
However I do, to a certain extent, understand why some people get demotivated these days. What is lacking is the election candidates must show their proposals as well as how they plan to get to the result. People are voting for a party and not for the ideas that they are proposing. That is happening because they are more focused on pointing fingers and trying to damage each others reputation than in actually working on what they can do for the people.
To vote is everybody’s right and duty. Your vote can make a difference.
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