3 Outrageous Reasons Why Some People Vote

Why do people vote? Many vote to take active part in democracy, believing that their vote will actually benefit the country.

However, some people are easily led astray and fooled into voting - for all the wrong reasons.

1. Free Alcohol and other Freebies

For many politicians, the easiest way to lure voters is by offering laptops, bicycles or even alcohol! A classic case of reverse corruption; which gives way to even more corruption in the Government. Such voters are simply content with freebies followed by five years of blissful ignorance.

2. Caste or religion-incited votes

Many parties have succeeded to politicise religion and caste, to the extent that voters prefer to vote for parties on religious or caste affinities alone.

Ofcourse, implications are that these politicians will pick religion and caste over the welfare of the nation. So much for a fair democracy.

3. Voting just because you have to!

There are some interesting people that get carried away with all the hullabaloo. They just want to be a part of the drama that happens once every five years. Without even researching the parties, or the candidates they excitedly display their inked fingers.

Post-elections, they go back to hibernation.

Find the Right Reasons

On one hand, we yearn to be part of a true democracy, on the other hand we find selfish motives to take part in the largest democratic exercise. Elections are a phenomena that bring together the voice and choice of people. Unless we take it seriously, our nation will cease to be 'By the People and For the People'. The ball is in our court.

What Women Really Want from #DelhiElections2015 #DelhiSpeakUp

Delhi goes to vote tomorrow, on the 7th of February, 2015. Amidst a lot of hype and hullabaloo, the common man and woman's issues are slowly getting sidelined. We speak to five women from different parts of Delhi and ask them – what is it that a woman from Delhi really expect from the new Government. Why is the woman in Delhi voting tomorrow? Here's a look at some responses.

Shambhavi Saxena, Postgraduate student and writer

It's hard to single out only ONE thing I want from the new Government. I'd really like to see Article 377 scrapped, and a Government that fosters an informed, compassionate and inclusive attitude to all genders and sexualities.

Pratishtha Dhobal, Editor-in-Chief, Askme.com Lifestyle Communities & Filmmaker

I want to be able to step out on the streets fearlessly at night and trust the state and government to fully commit to making that change.

Amrita Banerjee, Web & Creative Lead, Refiral.com

I have experienced that a person guilty of molestation or rape, usually goes ahead, gets married and has children of his own – lives like an innocent person. Even after committing such crimes. A person staying in such a neighbourhood needs to be exposed – it’s important for people to be aware so they can protect themselves and their families.

Neha Bhatia, Program Manager with Gandhi Fellowship

I never see many auto rickshaws when I step out in the streets. If they are around, they will not agree for a ride. Even the Police doesn't help us when we get harassed by auto drivers.

Shruti Sharma, Communication Consultant, Development Sector

Making it safe for us to walk down the street is going to be the first step but it doesn't end there. Stronger, result-oriented steps need to be taken to ensure the end of violence against women and children. One rape is too many. One child being harmed is too many. The government (strongly backed by corporates) need to work towards inclusion and empowerment of women; tokenism just won't make the cut any more.

Will the #PowerOf49 make a difference in Delhi?

The female electorate in Delhi needs to come together to give the ultimate showdown to the authorities. Our voices need to be loud enough to shake the core of the city. When the women of Delhi vote in large numbers, the politicians will know: here's a votebank they cannot take for granted.

Let's show them what Delhi needs. Women, rise up to the occasion and cast your vote in large numbers. This is only the beginning.

The Power of 49 - Behind The Right Candidate

In the last General Elections that took place in 2009, an estimated 150 MP’s that stood for election had criminal charges against them. That was a 17.2% rise in MP’s with criminal records from the 14th Lok Sabha elections (in 2004) which had 128 candidates with criminal records. There was also a 30.9% increase in the number of MPs charged with serious crimes in 2009 from the 2004 elections.

If you do the math, it means that one in every four lawmaker that was elected in the 15th Lok Sabha election has broken the law him/herself.

Uttar Pradesh set the record of sending the maximum number of tainted MPs to the Lok Sabha. 31 of their 80 MPs had criminal cases pending against them. Out of those 31, 22 were charged with serious crimes, ten with heinous ones.  Maharashtra came in second with 23 of its MPs having criminal cases against them, nine of those grave offences.

A lot of these charges are ones of rape and crimes against women. Kidnapping, assault and in the most heinous of cases, murder is also on the charge sheets of some on the MP’s that are currently in power. These are some of the individuals who are making laws and the policies that we, the people, must live and abide by. Ironic right?

Yet there is no passing the buck on this one, we are the ones who brought them to power by our vote. Not having voted is worse because it means that you mutedly sat by and let these politicians take a seat in the house of the people. 

2014 will see the 16th General Election of the largest democracy in the world and the power of who will steer it lies in our hands. Every vote for the right candidate counts and it is time to mobilize the largest voting block that has been ignored. One that constitutes 49% of all registered voters in India… women. Starting now, it is each of our individual responsibility to educate and enable our mothers, sisters, wives, daughters, aunts, female friends, colleagues and every other woman within our families and social circle to choose the right candidate and to go out and cast her vote.

5 Things that will make me proud of Indian Politics

These are only some examples that we have suggested. Do feel free to share your views in the comment section.

Let's work towards a country we all are proud of!

8 things you should know about General Elections 2014

Voter Turnout of States - General Elections 2014

Here is the voter turnout of the first five phases of the Elections.
The North-East Indian states have fared really well.
Four more phases of the Elections are pending which will close by May 12, 2014.

Let's hope more and more Indians exercise their right to vote!

Date a Girl Who Votes

Why A Girl Who Votes Is Perfect For You

Date a girl who votes – she loves parties. Not the merry-making kind, but the political kind – you know, the party that governs you. No, she is not a serious person who doesn't know how to have fun. Yes, she sometimes thinks that her existence should matter on some level to the country.

Date a girl who votes – she won't give up. When faced with a situation, she is motivated to do something than let it rest – like when her country needs a better government, she will step up and do her bit. Don't try asking her to let it be. She won't.

Date a girl who votes – she gets reality. She will work with you through the ups and downs of a relationship because she knows that there is no such thing as a 'perfect couple'. Just like she knows that there is no such thing as a 'perfect nation'. If she wants perfection, she knows she has to be involved too.

Date a girl who votes – she is optimistic. However bleak the situation may be, she believes that she can change the outcome. You want to be with a girl, who gives hope – like she believes that her vote can make a difference. There never will be a dull day with a hopeful spirit like hers.

Date a girl who votes – she sets trends that count. She thinks voting is cool and she believes that getting inked is in.

Date a girl who votes – she is clear-headed. She takes matters into her own hands because she knows exactly what she wants. And there's nothing more attractive than a girl who knows what she wants.

Date a girl who votes – she is informed, you know, about the country and such stuff. She may not be hooked onto Page 3 gossip. But imagine spending evenings with her over a cup of tea, having interesting conversations with her, debating and arguing, justifying the logic of things. You will never run out of things to talk about.

Date a girl who votes - she is independent. She will not depend on you for everything, and she has a mind of her own. She will definitely ask you to share your opinion, but only after she has voiced her own.

Date a girl who votes - she really, truly, cares about you, herself and the both of you. By voting, she is trying to make the country a better nation and only because she wants your children to have a better future. She wants you to have a better future.

Date a girl who votes – because this girl, is definitely, a keeper.

10 Things Political Experts Have to Say on #DelhiElections2015

On Friday, 6th of February, 2015, we invited two important personalities on Twitter to deconstruct the hype around #DelhiElections2015.

While a lot of us have several opinions on the ongoing action in Delhi's political arena – JaagoRe spoke to two experts to demystify and articulate the political scene of Delhi.

A brief description on the experts who spoke at @JaagoRe:

Dr Dibyesh Anand, Head of Dept of Politics & International Relations at UK's Westminster University
Avid interest in matters of democracy, plurality, equality and justice

Mayank Jain, Journalist at Scroll.in
Writes on politics, current affairs & women's rights

Here's what they had to say about #DelhiElections2015 on @JaagoRe:

Delhi Elections 2015: What really matters

What do you think should be the focus point for #DelhiElections in 2015? @dibyeshanand & @Mayank1029 #DelhiSpeakUp #JaagoRe #PowerOf49

— Jaago Re (@JaagoRe) February 6, 2015

.@JaagoRe @dibyeshanand @adrspeaks The information needs to be put into context but that's stale for the media so voters stay in the dark.

— Mayank Jain (@Mayank1029) February 6, 2015

@JaagoRe @Mayank1029 focus on women's freedom would entail safe public space + more rights. Onus will shift on state/society to change.

— Dibyesh Anand (@dibyeshanand) February 6, 2015

.@JaagoRe @dibyeshanand Bring transparency into political funding, equalize opportunities for independent candidates. Audits on campaigns.

— Mayank Jain (@Mayank1029) February 6, 2015

.@Mayank1029 @dibyeshanand Audits on electoral campaigns - could you elaborate more upon this? #DelhiSpeaksUp #DelhiElections2015 #JaagoRe

— Jaago Re (@JaagoRe) February 6, 2015

.@JaagoRe Newspapers are plastered with full page ads which cost above 1 crore. Voters have the right to know on the source. #DelhiElections

— Mayank Jain (@Mayank1029) February 6, 2015

Delhi Elections 2015: The women that voted

.@dibyeshanand @Mayank1029 Why aren't women voters being more vocal about this then? Doesn't voting give a fair chance to us? #PowerOf49

— Jaago Re (@JaagoRe) February 6, 2015

@JaagoRe @Mayank1029 it is not easy being a woman in India with misogyny rife in families, intimate relations, institutions & public space.

— Dibyesh Anand (@dibyeshanand) February 6, 2015

@JaagoRe @Mayank1029 women shd come out to vote in large numbers; stand in elections; force parties to see them as partners, not only voters

— Dibyesh Anand (@dibyeshanand) February 6, 2015

@JaagoRe @Mayank1029 when parties talk of women's votes but don't have women candidates, it implies they are not truly representative.

— Dibyesh Anand (@dibyeshanand) February 6, 2015

.@JaagoRe The voters are always demanding transparency but not actively. Media and herd mentality plays a big role. We need conversations.

— Mayank Jain (@Mayank1029) February 6, 2015

@JaagoRe @Mayank1029 sad indictment of democracy where focus us on women's safety only rather than women's freedom. free + safe is needed.

— Dibyesh Anand (@dibyeshanand) February 6, 2015

.@dibyeshanand @Mayank1029 Interesting, u should say that.Could u elaborate on why a distinction is needed between women's safety & freedom?

— Jaago Re (@JaagoRe) February 6, 2015

@JaagoRe @Mayank1029 'safety' can be hijacked by conservative patriarchal values to insist on controlling women's behaviour & curb freedom

— Dibyesh Anand (@dibyeshanand) February 6, 2015

Delhi Elections 2015: The people who voted

.@dibyeshanand @Mayank1029 Change begins from us. What's the least that voters can do? #DelhiElections2015 #JaagoRe #DelhiSpeakUp

— Jaago Re (@JaagoRe) February 6, 2015

.@JaagoRe Vote for candidates and stop voting for parties. Look at who's done what for the area and then press that button. @dibyeshanand

— Mayank Jain (@Mayank1029) February 6, 2015

@JaagoRe @Mayank1029 voters shd use conscience as well as knowledge. Not vote for divisive communal politics. vote 4 fairer & better delhi

— Dibyesh Anand (@dibyeshanand) February 6, 2015

Join the conversation on @JaagoRe: and on www.facebook.com/jaagore and do share your opinions with us!

Disclaimer:

Views expressed here are of the individuals alone and do not necessarily represent that of the brand

What Kashmir and Jharkhand need to know before they vote

Asssembly elections for Jammu and Kashmir and Jharkhand began on 25 November 2014. Both the states have geared up for elections which will be held in five phases, with results being declared on 23rd December, 2014.

Both Kashmir and Jharkhand have been plagued with their fair share of issues.

For Jharkhand, problems with regards to electricity, water, education, health, roads, unemployment etc. dominate the state’s agenda. The candidate that wins has to take these issues seriously and find meaningful and concrete solutions for the state.

In Kashmir, self-rule or autonomy, separatism, militancy, presence of security forces, disappearances of several people in the state, violence as well as electricity, unemployment, development, education etc. are issues that need immediate attention. The state is still reeling under the aftereffects of the horrific flood that recently hit Kashmir. The winning candidate has to take stock of the situation and restore peace and normalcy to the beautiful Himalayan state.

As both the states gear up and go to polls, we bring to you some insights on the Assembly Election 2014.

Association for Democratic Reforms(ADR) has released a detailed report on the criminal, financial, educational and other details of candidates contesting the assembly election.

The first phase of the election was held on November 25, 2014. The next phase will be held on the 2nd of December, 2014.

Here is the roundup of details from both phase 1 and 2 of assembly elections.

Phase 1 & 2 Assembly elections Kashmir & Jharkhand

As we can see quite a huge number of candidates contesting have declared criminal cases against them. It also includes candidates ‘Serious Criminal Cases’ which include crimes related to murder, attempt to murder, rape, communal disharmony, kidnapping, crimes against women etc.

The number of female candidates contesting is also astonishingly low.

The demographics of the candidates contesting give us an idea of the kind of the politics and the culture that is normalised, and even accepted today; not just in these two states, but all over India.

Crimes against Women

Both the states also have a poor record when it comes to women and children. We pulled out the latest figures from National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) (2012 figures) to see what the crimes against women are.

Jharkhand has a total of 4536 crimes committed against women. In Kashmir, 3328 crimes have been committed against women.

They include rape, kidnapping and abduction, dowry deaths, cruelty by husband or his relatives etc.

Crimes against Children

Jharkhand has a total of 113 cases of crimes against children, whereas Jammu and Kashmir has a total of 40 cases recorded.

They include infanticide, murder, rape, kidnapping and abduction, foeticide, procuration of a minor girl, abandonment, buying or selling girls for prostitution etc.

Please note that these are just reported cases, when the actual numbers are always much higher.

Are you voting in the Assembly Elections 2014?

Are you one of the voters who’s voting in the Assembly Election? What is your opinion on the current state of affairs in your state? How do you think we can ensure candidates that are honest, reliable and have a clean background? Would you like more women to contest from your state?

Please comment in our box below. Also join our conversations on

https://www.facebook.com/jaagore

https://twitter.com/JaagoRe

HOW WOMEN CHANGED ELECTIONS 2014

A breakdown of Indian Women's Score Card on Voter Turnouts and Women Candidates from General Election 2014, and the Top Highlights of Women's Roles in Indian Polity.

The Power of 49 has Cast their Votes

The Powerof49 realised itself as they did not let their voice, their determination to change India - their votes go waste.

65% of Indian women casted their votes in General Elections 2014, from the registered voter base.

State-wise Powerof49 Voter Turnouts

Let's now look at the complete state-wise breakdown of women’s score in voter turnouts in Elections 2014.

North India

North East

West India

Central India

East India

South India

What are the top highlights from Women Voter Turnouts in General Elections 2014?

As we interpret the Indian map and women's representation on it for 2014, let's break it down and look at the top highlights.

Despite the voter turnouts looking slightly better than the previous year’s turnouts, women still have to make their presence felt when it comes to the Indian polity.

Women In Parliament - Still A Man's World?

The numbers this time for Women MPs contesting, or the ones who got elected are miserably low. Take a close look at the number of women that were elected. So many decades after India's Independence, the Indian Parliament continues to be largely male-dominated.

Not Quite The End

Now, that women have voted, let's not stay mute. To know the top 10 questions every Indian must ask the next government Click here.

*Sources – ECI, ADR, Indiaspend.