Democracy is an integral part of the foundation on which any modern society is built. Elections, a crucial moment in democratic life, are supposed to be a symbol of the popular will, a manifestation of the sovereignty of the people. However, in Masi-Manimba, the capital of the eponymous territory, a shadow hangs over this noble principle.
On this election day, the interminable wait of voters in front of the Maday 2 polling station testifies to the uncertainty that reigns. At 8 a.m., the scheduled time for the start of operations, nothing had yet begun, plunging citizens into palpable frustration. The hours pass, anxiety grows, impatience mixes with the exasperation of voters who see their right to vote delayed, or even compromised.
Confusion also reigns over the presence of voters on the electoral lists. Citizens, although certain of their registration, find themselves absent from the registers consulted at the entrance to the polling station. An incomprehensible situation that casts doubt on the reliability of the electoral process.
The Tadi 1 and Tadi 2 centers are not spared from these dysfunctions. The office managers seem helpless, urgently summoned by the electoral authorities for vague instructions. The atmosphere, charged with worry and annoyance, does not bode well for voter participation in this crucial territory.
Elections are the pillar of democracy, the moment when every vote counts, when every citizen can express their choice. But when obstacles stand in the way of this essential process, the entire legitimacy of the system falters. The authorities in charge of these elections must guarantee the transparency, reliability and fairness of the vote, so that citizens’ confidence in their decision-making power remains intact.
As citizens, it is essential to remain vigilant, to maintain pressure on the electoral bodies to ensure the regularity and proper conduct of elections. Because it is by defending our rights and demanding honest democratic processes that we strengthen the foundations of our society, for a more just and democratic future for all.
Jonathan Mesa