This refers to the article “Poll discrepancies found” (Page One, Inquirer, 5/29/13). What should we make of these discrepancies? Should we just sit by and stay indifferent to poll irregularities? Is this how we will define our elections from 2013 on?
These are the nagging questions that bother me these days. I am sure many of our people are also disturbed by these new developments related to the recently concluded midterm elections.
Elections are meant to determine the will of the people. They are not only about quick election results.
They also necessarily refer to our being a democratic country. It is not okay to say that these discrepancies are simply “glitches” and then put them behind us. If these discrepancies are enormous and pronounced, then the will of the people has been undermined and democracy sabotaged.
However, I notice that many of our people are seemingly not interested in probing the reported discrepancies. There are no noticeable, howling complaints except those from IT experts, statisticians or Math professors. There are no calls for street rallies or demonstrations. Practically, most of our people are silent. I find this very disturbing. What’s up with our quiet people? What are they thinking? Are they tired of airing their legitimate grievances, knowing that these will be left unheeded anyway? Do they no longer believe in democracy or are they simply resigned to authoritarianism?
History tells us that there were despots who bragged about elections and used them to perpetuate themselves in power, and the people allowed them to rule almost for life. One of them said, “You won the vote, but I won the count.”
—REGINALD B. TAMAYO,
assistant city
council secretary,
Marikina City