Hopefully the title of this post doesn't make you cringe and go: oh no, another political commentary *rolling eyes*....Actually I'm writing this from the point of view of a first time voter.
I documented briefly on my facebook page in a series of updates but I thought I'd put my thoughts on one blog post to keep it as a virtual memory.
Firstly, you may think it's sad that I am a first time voter even though I have been eligible for a decade or so but you must remember that to be eligible, I must first be registered on the common roll and have lived in that place for a continous period of six months or more (in Papua New Guinea) apart from being a citizen. Sadly school and later work made it impossible to stay stationary in one spot long enough to qualify to vote until now.
But I finally did it. I enrolled on the common roll, very simply done with no pomp or flair. I joined the community march for free fair and safe elections and I actually listened to political speeches and promises. I lined up to vote, checked that my name was on the roll, had indelible ink painted on my left pinky and put my first, second and third choices for the regional and the open seat. I then placed my votes in the ballot boxes and went back to work.
How do I feel now? Well, from this election, one candidate won his seat back with an absolute majority on the first count because of one vote..can you imagine? Meaning my vote does count. I feel I had my say but ultimately the majority will decide who wins or not because the majority will benefit. This election also saw two women enter parliament, not on reserved seats but on their own merit, in a fair race against the men. As a woman, this gives me hope that Papua New Guinea, despite all the faults portrayed by the media has been able to put traditional roles behind them and hope for a better future, an equal future. This election also saw one 26 year old beat out the pro's to become the newly elected member in his place. It also sees the old souls stand the test of the preferential voting system to clock up more than a decade as the seating member. Their longevity speaks volumes of their leadership qualities.
But of all the thoughts that linger, there is but one: What is indelible ink? It looks suspiciously like henna ink...hmmmmm
I documented briefly on my facebook page in a series of updates but I thought I'd put my thoughts on one blog post to keep it as a virtual memory.
Firstly, you may think it's sad that I am a first time voter even though I have been eligible for a decade or so but you must remember that to be eligible, I must first be registered on the common roll and have lived in that place for a continous period of six months or more (in Papua New Guinea) apart from being a citizen. Sadly school and later work made it impossible to stay stationary in one spot long enough to qualify to vote until now.
But I finally did it. I enrolled on the common roll, very simply done with no pomp or flair. I joined the community march for free fair and safe elections and I actually listened to political speeches and promises. I lined up to vote, checked that my name was on the roll, had indelible ink painted on my left pinky and put my first, second and third choices for the regional and the open seat. I then placed my votes in the ballot boxes and went back to work.
How do I feel now? Well, from this election, one candidate won his seat back with an absolute majority on the first count because of one vote..can you imagine? Meaning my vote does count. I feel I had my say but ultimately the majority will decide who wins or not because the majority will benefit. This election also saw two women enter parliament, not on reserved seats but on their own merit, in a fair race against the men. As a woman, this gives me hope that Papua New Guinea, despite all the faults portrayed by the media has been able to put traditional roles behind them and hope for a better future, an equal future. This election also saw one 26 year old beat out the pro's to become the newly elected member in his place. It also sees the old souls stand the test of the preferential voting system to clock up more than a decade as the seating member. Their longevity speaks volumes of their leadership qualities.
But of all the thoughts that linger, there is but one: What is indelible ink? It looks suspiciously like henna ink...hmmmmm
