Syama Has a Solution to Make Everyone Vote During Lok Sabha Polls

Video Editor: Abhishek Sharma
Cameraperson: Smitha TK

I’ve never voted in my life.

I don’t have a voter ID because I don’t have a permanent house. So I still haven’t voted.
My mother goes to the milk booth, ration shop... all set up by the government. But when I tell her to go vote, she says, 'Meh!'

Voter ID is a different concept in our country. It is used only as an ID card. When my mother travels, I ask her if she has taken her ID card and she says, “Yes, I have taken my voter ID.” The last time she went to vote, she went empty-handed. I asked her where her ID was and she said, “Aiyo! I forgot.” I told my Amma, “Amma, this is why they have even given you a voter ID!”

But seriously, who is left to vote? A few uncles and aunties watching Big Boss. The youth is very busy... they will go watch a movie on the first day, first show, but on the day of election, they will sincerely go to work.

We can take leave for Rajini FDFS (First Day First Show) but for vote, we can’t take a leave.

But even if I get a voter ID tomorrow, I am really confused as to whom to vote for. Earlier there were only two Ks... now there is DMK, AIADMK, CMK PMK... and I’m like, sir not okay... these many Ks I cannot!

The AIADMK is now becoming AIADMKEPOPS... plus it has the TTV partition also. Same banana leaf, different partitions, that’s all.

The people who profit the most are biryani sellers, people who sell election accessories... you don't know what accessories are? Amma’s (Jayalalithaa) photos, Karunanidhi’s photos, flags of all colours, rings which have Amma, Karunanidhi and chains which look like the ones they use to arrest.

Also, I think the technology should improve. We are doing everything from home. We are Swiggy-ing, Amazon-ing, Bigbasket-ing. Vote should also work that way... we should be able to do it from the phone.

(Syama Harini is a standup comic based in Chennai. As told to Smitha TK)

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