Following the pied piper

This year is going to be an interesting year for the Maldives. It is the second time the President of the country will be elected by the public through a democratic vote. Some might argue democracy has been here for a long time. True! The public voted. But for 30 years from 1978 to 2008 the country was governed by President Maumoon Abdul Qayoom. He was elected every five years as per constitution. What the public did not fathom was that there was no other option. It was his way or the high way. The vote paper the voters get only has his name with a two tick boxes. One to say yes for him, One to say no to him.

Throughout his years in power we heard stuff behind closed doors. The adults talked in hushed whispers for if anyone is heard criticizing the President, that person ends up criminalized. I don't really know the level of truth in it. But well known public figure, a very elderly singer was jailed for stating at a TV interview that the day he wanted to see most was to witness another President governing the country. By then he was in his seventies I believe meaning he must have seen only two Presidents with the last one extending 3 decades.

This 30 year long years of one man show came to an end in 2009 with the new constitution in place, with the voters getting a voting sheet that carried a number of names to choose as the President. This was a drastic change and the most drastic outcome was the long-serving President not getting enough votes to continue on to another term.

What was appalling for me was that there still was quite a lot of people who voted for him. I would say this is a result of mind control. People follow whatever they are told. This is not surprising given that hardly anyone reads. Reading widely is definitely something that makes our mind open to various ideas and ideologies and developmental efforts failed or successful.

People listen to their preferred political people's talk only and ignore the rest. They do not realize what good information is lost. The point I am trying to make is that our people blindlyfollow a selected politician and their thoughts. Thy follow like all the mouse that followed the pied piper and his music. This unquestioned blindness leads to bad decisions.

If only everyone took some effort to educate themselves about what is going around us during this campaign year. It is pathetic to see and listen to people talking rubbish about the Parliament and any other politicians.
Self-education is required in this day and age. Find an information resource in your community and actively participate!

It will make a world of difference.