January 15, 2026.
Mumbai woke up with a quiet urgency. Not to a
bandh. Not to a holiday. But to a responsibility.
Today was voting day for the BMC. A civic event
that rarely trends, yet quietly shapes daily life. The city moved as usual, but with an extra task pencilled in, cast the vote.
In the days leading up to today, the streets were
alive. Candidates from different parties campaigned hard. Banners fluttered.
Loudspeakers echoed. Supporters walked familiar lanes. Promises flowed freely,
optimism generously sprinkled.
And then, the rules were always there. Canvassing had to
stop a fixed number of hours before polling day. No last-minute persuasion. Violation could mean disqualification. Democracy,
after all, needs silence before decision-making.
That silence mattered. It gave voters space to
think. No noise. No pressure. Just choice.
To ensure participation, the government played its
part. Offices were instructed to facilitate voting. Flexible timings. Adjusted shifts. Gentle but firm reminders. The message was
simple - work can wait, democracy cannot.
The newspapers amplified it further. Full-page
advertisements caught the eye. Bold words. Sharp messaging. One line stood out
starkly: “Not voting may not be a legal crime, but a social crime.”
Strong words. Slightly uncomfortable. Hard to
ignore.
Because voting is rarely about convenience. Polling
booths may not be nearby. Queues are rarely short. The inked finger comes with
mild impatience. Yet, democracy persists with quiet stubbornness.
Voting is not glamorous. It is slow. Manual.
Almost dull. And therein lies its strength.
In an age of instant opinions and louder outrage,
voting asks for calm action. No applause. No camera. No validation. Just a
button pressed behind a curtain.
Many still ask, “Does one vote really matter?” Perhaps
not in isolation. But democracy was never meant to be solitary. It works in
numbers, not excuses.
When we vote, we participate. When we don’t, we
quietly withdraw. And withdrawal, over time, weakens the very system we
complain about.
Municipal elections often feel insignificant. Roads.
Drains. Garbage. Water supply. Unexciting words - until something fails.
Local governance is where daily life unfolds. And
daily life deserves attention.
Today, lakhs showed up. Some eagerly. Some
reluctantly. Some mechanically. Motives varied. Participation didn’t.
The inked finger said it all. “I was here.”
Democracy asks for little, but asks it often. Show up. Stand in line. Make a choice. Own it.
Voting may not win applause. But choosing not to
vote costs society dearly.
Today was not just about parties or candidates. It
was about participation. And participation remains the quiet backbone of
democracy.
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