What’s in a vote?
The power to mould; the power to turn the tide; and the power to change.
At times, it also has the power to disappoint, like it did many who voted this Thursday to try and affect a change in Ontario.
And I joined in to flex my power — exercising my right as a Canadian citizen.
My first interaction with Canadian elections happened as I covered the federal elections as a Packet & Times reporter.
Back in 2015, for me, the coverage was electric and the excitement was around reporting on a major election for the first time and getting my story in on time.
And, of course, there was pizza.
This time around, I was hyped not only about election-night coverage, but also about being able to vote for the very first time as a Canadian citizen.
When you fill in a citizenship application, there is an option to register with Elections Canada. I knew I had made sure to select that option, but provincial elections weren’t even on my radar at that time.
When campaigning started, I thought it would useful to find out if I was even registered as a voter in my riding. A quick trip to the returning office not only told me that I was indeed registered to vote in Simcoe North, but also that I could vote the same day on a special ballot.
I did feel special when the lady asked me if I would like to vote the same day. I heard her saying, “Would you like to make history?”
And so I did.
It wasn’t just my first vote in Canada; it was my first vote ever — in my entire voter life.
That was primarily because Pakistan was under military rule when I came of voting age and I deliberately didn’t vote in the one election that followed the end of the establishment’s power.
I didn’t do so because I didn’t believe in the manifestos of any of the parties and the people who comprised their leadership.
But it was a different case when voting here. It only took me a minute to decide whose name I was going to put on the ballot.
The reason it didn’t take me that long was because I’ve had a chance to interact with all the candidates, some more than others.
It’s not because I’m a part of the media, but because candidates in Canada are more visible and involved in the community than they are in Pakistan.
My family is always amazed and surprised when I tell them I just got back from a meeting with my MP or that the mayor helped serve a pancake breakfast on Canada Day.
That was one of the reasons why, last year during his visit, my father was so intrigued by council proceedings.
And so I only needed a minute to quickly run through my mind the platform all candidates had presented, or not. I also took a look at how parties have performed since 2011, the year I moved to Canada.
Pakistan has numerous political parties, both religious and secular. The choices here are limited between the blues and the reds. There are other colours too, but they’re not as powerful.
Pakistani political parties are mostly a mash up of the same people changing allegiances from one to another.
At least that doesn’t happen very often in Canada, but the rest seems the same.
Time after time, voters vacillate between giving a chance to the two popular parties. Time after time, the parties disappoint. Time after time, citizens demand change, and then go back to the same.
So why did I vote?
Because I wanted to experience the power, feel capable of making a change and having a voice that is counted and heard.
Did that happen? Not really.
Will that keep me from voting next time? Absolutely not!
Voting is important, at least for me, because it keeps me aware of the political process. It keeps my candidates aware of my involvement. It doesn’t only keep them accountable but it also keeps me on the hook about my civic engagement.
It compels me to take action even if I feel I’m not being represented aptly.
And with another election coming up later in the year, I plan on making sure I vote.
