[Torque123]

I also voted this time. Voted last time too and i have seen improvement in our locality. So wanted to vote this time also. As Snaronikar mentioned if we do not vote then it will be misused by someone else. Why give them a chance for that?

[lazy]

Voted the first time today.
Nice experience, 5 min queue.

I wonder why I did not get myself enrolled earlier. It was so easy.
One trip to the facilitation center to submit the forms (got from jaagore.com). After 3 weeks, I could see my name on the online list.
Will have to go again to get the EPIC card. But that wasn't required today.

cheers
lazy

[emkay456]

Originally Posted by Thad E Ginathom

This is my first Indian general election.

This bemused foreigner was left with the impression that the politicians were sorting it all out between themselves, leaving the electorate to rubber-stamp the result.

--- Just a foreigner's observation <Blush

You have hit the nail !! That is exactly what the politicians want. Their concept of democracy is based on two principles :

- Keep the literate away from voting as far as possible
- Maintain their voting constituency in ghettos and with least education. Their votes come for Rs 100 sometimes or some other gifts in kind.

[Ravveendrra]

Originally Posted by Thad E Ginathom

This is my first Indian general election.

Whilst some of the actions taken by the Electoral Commission (mentioning no names or issues!) seem excellent, there does seem to be such a clamp down on campaigning that I'm slightly confused as to how anyone knows who to vote for.

After the election was announced, the newspapers were full of the "seat sharing" negotiations between the parties, with little or no mention of policy or issue.

This bemused foreigner was left with the impression that the politicians were sorting it all out between themselves, leaving the electorate to rubber-stamp the result.

--- Just a foreigner's observation <Blush

Lol Thad, now you know why the Indian elections are sometimes called the greatest show on earth!

The politicians and the voters, each believe that they have got the better of the other.

These elections have been quiet on the street - no banners, no hoardings, no noise. This is courtesy the clampdown by the Election Commission on expenditure and the defacing of public and private property by candidates. The candidates though have been touring their constituencies particularly the rural ones.

This election has become one of the most interesting ones. There are no visible signs of who has an edge. The voters are keeping mum about their choice and are generally keeping their cards close to their chest. This is always a dangerous sign for politicians as it means the electorate is not above pulling a fast one on the politicians.

Is this the year in which Mayawati or Lalloo Prasad Yadav become PM? All we can do is wait and watch.

Originally Posted by emkay456

You have hit the nail !! That is exactly what the politicians want. Their concept of democracy is based on two principles :

- Keep the literate away from voting as far as possible
- Maintain their voting constituency in ghettos and with least education. Their votes come for Rs 100 sometimes or some other gifts in kind.

+1 to your take on the world-view of the politicians.

I however disagree on your take on the poor illeterate voters. Those guys can be very shrewd. There are cases where they have taken money, gifts, liquor etc. from all the parties. There are also cases where they have taken money, gifts etc from one side and voted for the other. The poorer voters have now come to believe that to receive gifts, money etc. is their birth-right and is in no way connected to their voting!

Cheers,

[sam003]

Hey I do vote and will vote this time too. Mine is very special in its on kind. You might be wondering how? I realised durin college voting, whom so ever (candidate), I used to vote he never wins. So during college days is someone comes to me for vote he/she generally disappear in few min, after hearing story and insist me to vote the rival party. Same happen in state and central elections. To whom I voted from my area they never able to make it . So my Vote is most important anyone want.

[NetfreakBombay]

Interesting article from Rediff.

rediff.com: The Great Indian Political festival

Not like other useless things on Rediff.

[SumitB]

Lets see what turns up here. Today, about 14.4 crore Indians have an opportunity to franchise their right to vote. I am sure many here on TE have registered to vote and will be voting. I request all those who vote to flaunt their fingers here. Post a picture of your finger if you have voted.

Here is a lady who voted. Picture courtesy WSJ.

[SRK]

I voted for the first time today morning.
Heres the proof:



Now hope the candiate for whom I have voted does some good work.


I tried to make a difference? Did you? Go out and vote.

[ramie2400]

I am going in the afternoon to VOTE,unless we vote we have no right to speak about our government.

People please go out and vote for a better future,Change is gonna come.

[His Highness]

Just gave politicians the finger. ( Voted)

Isnt it ironic that this year they are marking the middle finger? ;-)

[ported_head]

If any of the Mumbai guys are having trouble finding their names in the voters lists or polling stations, search for them online at : Chief Electoral Officer, Maharashtra Elector's Help Line

Patience is the key here, the site is awfully slow most of the times. Often throwing up a service unavailable. Let that not deter you though. I suggest you guys find your polling stations and then leave home. None of the helpdesks will ever have the whole list together.

[Aditya]

I always vote and this time was no different. No long queue, no wait - it was quick.

Originally Posted by His Highness

Isnt it ironic that this year they are marking the middle finger? ;-)

Yup. Huge marking on the middle finger of the left hand.

[kunaldhami]

First time voted for Loksabha election.

[pranavt]

First time I voted

Took less than 5 minutes, including waiting in the queue for a couple of them minutes. The people doing the paperwork were nice people and were helping out people nicely.

Now I just hope that these electronic voting machines are not tampered with. It's just a big box with 20 or so buttons on it, it's not difficult to modify the machine imo.

[f450]

Originally Posted by Aditya

I always vote and this time was no different. No long queue, no wait - it was quick.

Yup. Huge marking on the middle finger of the left hand.

Most people I know (including me) got marked on the index finger, as usual. Maybe it's different fingers for different states...?