Before You Go Out and Vote

In a few days, people from all walks of life will again flock into polling precincts to vote for the nation's next set of national leaders. It is one of the significant moments when the barriers between economic classes, educational backgrounds, religious beliefs, and geographical and dialectical differences are set aside for one common goal - electing the next person to represent us to the world and usher us into growth.

Yet as we wait for May 9, various social media platforms have turned into political battlegrounds where we see the best - and worst of people. We have witnessed a lot of bickering, mudslinging, political maneuvering, and political bullying. We, the voting population, are at the helm of the battleground, caught up in the middle of the fight. The only consolation we have are the thousands of funny memes. But if we are not careful and objective, the joke is on us.
Choosing our nation's leaders is not like selecting movies on Netflix or choosing food from a menu. There are plenty of things to consider.

Track Record

The first consideration should be the candidates' track record. It will show how they will perform once they assume office. Campaign promises are empty talks. What speak loudly are historical records of public service. What significant accomplishments have they done in the past? What laws have they created or implemented that helped improve the lives of their constituents? Were they involved in corruption and graft cases? Campaign promises overwhelm us, but a positive track record is enough to convince us of the candidates' political intentions and capabilities.

Grounded and Realistic Promises

Again, campaign promises are empty talks. They are just ploys to woo votes from people. But if we dive deeper into their platforms, we must discern how do they intend to do them. Elections are not a battle of words and promises. Candidates sharing their platforms are casting their visions for the country with a detailed plan on how to do them. We put our confidence in someone with a carefully crafted and realistic plan, not just someone who spews empty words without basis. As voters, it is our duty to discern who among the candidates is our best choice to lead us forward with their plan of action.

Integrity

Integrity means being a man (or woman) of his (or her) word. The candidates' commitment to their promises and claims speaks much about their integrity. A few questions to ask: Can you trust their words? Are they honest in their dealings? Can they really deliver? Who are they in front of their constituents and in front of their advisors? Are there duplicities in their character? Can they make a tough leadership call? A person of integrity is someone we can always put our bets on.

Aside from the ones mentioned above, as voters, we can also consider the following to help us in choosing our next leaders:

Who Surrounds Them

Cliche may sound, but the saying "tell me who your friends are, and I'll tell you who you are" still packs a punch. There's a Biblical reference to this - "bad company corrupts good character" (1 Cor. 15:33). A good bunch of fruit can get spoilt even by one bad fruit. The same goes for people. Even if we claim our integrity is intact, we get tainted by the people we choose to influence us and pull the strings for us. Look at the candidates. Who are their advisers? What kind of advice do they give? Can they be trusted?

What Kind of Leader will that Candidate Be

National leaders are like parental figures with whom we rally behind for support and inspiration. They bring the best (or worse) in us. Our leaders embody our collective voice, values, and aspirations. As a family, we are happy when our parents give their best for our welfare - because it is their responsibility in the first place! And as children, it is a delight to partner with our parents, especially when we see the fruits of our partnership. Our obligation as citizens no longer becomes a drudgery when we see our contributions are not wasted but utilized to their full extent. Look for that kind of leader. Someone who will work hard to keep our nation intact. Someone who will ensure that our government stands on a sturdy foundation of true and lasting unity and people empowerment.

The choice is ours. May your votes reflect your personal values and aspirations.

(Photo by Element5 Digital: https://www.pexels.com/photo/person-dropping-paper-on-box-1550337/)

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