Let’s save democracy: Educate the young voters

By: Darwin Pesco

It’s not only ridiculous but heartbreaking.
Recently, an interview by Rappler shows that some of the Filipino voters are not serious enough for picking the people to public office.

They are only after a person’s image and publicity. When asked why they will vote a certain senator accused of plunder, the two women answered:
“Mabait at pogi.”
With that simple answer, it shows something about our system of democracy. The people need empowerment through education more than ever.

Source: NPR

We have been in many elections and yet our citizens are still picking the wrong people to hold public office. Democracy means people’s government, that is why the “demos” holds the power and yet only a few are running the country.

We can fix our system by educating the youth through civil lessons and empowering their rights of suffrage. Also, the problem is the people not exercising their rights to vote, because they think their single vote cannot change anything — which is wrong at all aspect.

The educated ones are not participating anymore; I know some of my friends boasting that they really don’t vote — they either don’t believe in democracy or the country’s rotting system or they try to be cool.
We must convince our fellow youngsters that voting is a necessity to keep our democracy breathing, a single vote not canvassed is a single casualty. We are complaining about what is happening on the streets and yet we are relaxing on our chairs, serving our ego.

The one we need? Voters’ education. There are many ways to educate youngsters about their rights to suffrage. First, lawmakers may introduce a bill to implement voters’ education at the primary level of education. Another one is a nationwide education drive to cover all the people whether young ones or not to vote responsibly.

In 2014, the Commission on Elections suggested the inclusion of voter education in the college curriculum. Communication campaign is also a good idea by using social media and giving out flyers about the basics of voting literacy.

Let’s face the reality: Voters are the ones who should be blamed about our societal issues.
You, I, they, we are the roots of all of these messes.

The first step to correct our mistakes is simple. Strip that ego and educate our fellows.