Publicado el 08-27-2010
Electoral Abstention
is Irresponsible
It must be insisted that abstention in elections constitutes, even though it not be stipulated by law, a civic crime, a crime against political morality. The fact that this crime not be punished does not mean that it should not be morally sanctioned by society. It is a known fact that much of society is guilty of this crime.
It constitutes irresponsible negligence or indifference that a citizen with the right to vote does not see this right also as a duty. And it is a duty, because the time might come when that abstention reaches proportions that might be absolute, with which the democratic system will die. That system would be the victim of its own citizens and not of an arbitrariness determined by the force of arms or a civil rebellion incompatible with social normality.
It is known that an absolute abstention is far from happening. But, in a way, it should be taken into consideration that this abstention seen constantly during elections, particularly when these are not general elections, reaches proportions that discredit democracy. When general elections are held, abstention is less noticeable. If someone considers that it is his duty to vote in a general election when the presidency of the republic is at stake, for example, he should consider that he has the same duty to vote in every election, from the less inclusive to the most inclusive. These elections must be a duty for every citizen.
When it is not a general election, polling precincts are empty and the number of people coming and going is almost insignificant, speaking in general. It in no way seems as an election day in a country like the United States of America where the vote is freely cast and honestly counted. The outcome of each election affects everyone, those who voted and those who did not vote. And if those who abstained from exercising that right later on are affected by the unfavorable results they must accept, at least in their own consciences, that their abstention contributed to those results.
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