POLITICS AND VOTERS' APATHY

REMOVAL OF POLITICAL ALIENATION A KEY TO HIGH –TURN UP OF VOTERS IN 2014 GENERAL ELECTIONS IN MALAWI

BY HARRISON SKENALA

>Efforts by countries like Malawi to promote high turn up of voters during elections seem unfruitful. Despite having law enforcement and civic education, the number of people who vote is still a huge challenge in Malawi. Many people do voter registration but shun casting their votes on a polling day. It is in this view that political alienation should be looked into seriously if democracy is to prosper in Africa especially in Malawi.

>As we are running towards 2014 General elections; politicians and other concerned stake holders have put in place some drastic measures that will see the election be fair and free. Malawi electoral Commission (MEC) has embarked the campaign that will see voters turning up in multitude numbers to claim their entitlement. Political parties have also geared in preparation for the 2014 general elections. We have seen the Peoples Party (PP) holding its first ever convention. Other political parties like United Democratic Front (UDF) and Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) are geared up to tag on the suit.

>Although there are some preparations, political alienation is still a big stumbling block for many voters in Africa especially Malawi. Political alienation, a feel of estrangement or rejection of the prevailing political system, is a challenge for many Malawian voters.

>Malawian politicians should know the following points if they want to see myriad turn up of voters in 2014 general elections.

>First, Malawian politicians must refrain from doing political meaninglessness. Political meaninglessness is when individuals perception that political decisions are unclear and unpredictable. Political defections are what politicians must avoid as 2014 general elections ghosts are tormenting other political parties. Malawians should not be taken for granted if the politicians want to be voted.

>Second, politicians must refrain from being normlessness. They should not break down rules that govern their political relations. They should avoid handpicking of the candidates for their parties.

>Third, political powerlessness should be avoided if the voters’ apathy is to be removed.  Political powerlessness comes when individuals feeling that she/he can not affect the actions of the government or party. Political parties as they hold conventions should a bid by rules and regulations of their parties. Party leaders should shun away from promising to build a bridge where there is no river. A party should promote peace to their followers and opponents.

>Besides that, politicians must avoid political isolation by the voters. This comes when political leaders reject political norms and goals that are widely held and shared by other members of a society. Amendment of laws relating to human rights should be done with wider perceptive. Political policies should be those that are shared and held by majority of members because error of opinion may be tolerated where reason is left free to combat by itself.

>As it has pointed out, the most common electoral consequences of political alienation are abstention and protest voting. Therefore political alienation should be avoided in any cost so that 2014 general election will have myriad of voters.