The New Nation - Internet Edition

Early in the morning my maid declared that she wanted the day off since she would be casting her vote for the very first time. Knowing that this was her democratic right I assured her that she would have leave when her sister came to pick her up. In spite of this I could see both excitement and fear on her face. Upon further query I found that she was worried that she might not get a chance in time. Laughing I invited her to join us.

On the way I told my niece, another new voter and who was curious to know how many polling centres there were, that 35, 263 polling centres all over the country would be open from 8 am till 4 pm. Why so many? Because 8, 10, 58, 698 voters were expected to participate in this year’s poll where a total of 1, 555 candidates were contesting in 299 constituencies. Since we were walking (due to restriction on vehicles for security reasons), both my niece and my maid kept asking about how to cast a vote.

When we reached our centre what surprised me most was the lack of the usual commotion. Everything was peaceful and organized. People, both male and female in separate queues, were standing patiently in long rows. No usual complaints! There were officials to guide the voters to their assigned rooms. Even inside, the officials painstakingly informed my maid and my niece what they were supposed to do. When we finally came out there were big smiles on both of my fellow voters and these new voters jubilantly declared that they were definitely satisfied with their experience and pleased to have made their contributions in the polls for democracy.

True Election 2008 owes its success not only to the fact that all over the country voters exercised their rights without fear but also to the spontaneous contribution of new voters (new blood) who amounted to nearly one third of the total voters.

Photo: DrikNEWS Team

Text: Humaira Fatima / DrikNEWS