Elections

Eventually, I will have to write about this. Yes, that special day when we all will choose the government who will govern us and the nation for the next term of mandate.
 I'm not new to general elections. In fact I have always been interested in it since I was a child. But somehow, since I joined the Press fraternity some 23 years ago, I have avoided writing too much about it in the newspaper I work for. I have my own reasons for that, and I wouldn't want to discuss about them here.

 Very soon, we will go to the polling booths again and by the time we hit our bunks on that day, we'd know who won and who has lost. That was how it has always been for as long as I can remember, save perhaps for the 1969 elections.
 But this time, I sense some differences too and I don't necessarily like what I am noticing. In a nutshell, I think it is quite accurate for me to say that this will be the hottest elections ever since 1969, when all the nation had built since independence in 1957 was shoved to the brink of collapse.
 What happened in May 1969 has been adequately examined in numerous writings and from various different angles although due to the incident's political nature and politic's nature of being a field of perception itself, it has been almost impossible to determine the truth.
  Indeed, the truth has been largely dependent on which side of the political divide was telling the story. But that's politics, they say. Its all about perception.

 And so as we come closer to the polling date, my writings from here onwards will touch on the big day. However, I will not be commenting on individual politicians nor on the different parties contesting. I will write largely on how we, as ordinary citizens, may look at what will unfold in the days leading to the 13th general elections. That way, I should be able to maintain my independence. 

 What I will write must not be taken as judgement calls. I have always respected everyone's rights to his/her own opinions. This is after all, a democracy.
 I have friends, some close friends, from both sides of the political divide. I shall do everything within my capabilities to preserve our friendship for they matter more to me than anything else.
 I am not a politician and will never be one. What I will be writing from now, at least to formation of a government after the coming elections will concern mostly issues that perhaps from my narrow perspective, could have an impact on the big picture of preserving peace and prosperity in this beloved motherland.
 You are welcomed to post comments on the things I'd be writing about but due to the nature of the general topic, I will be moderating your posts. Turning this space into a mud-slinging ground would be the last thing on my mind.

 See you in my next post.