Day 19

Have been meaning to blog this down for quite awhile, but many things have kept me from it. I'm referring to having the chance to vote for the first time, thereby partaking in the country's politics. Not that mine was the deciding vote, I wouldn't dream for it to be so, but like many other youths who had the chance to exercise their vote for the first time, going to the polling station is a momentous affair which sort of marks the coming of age.

In May, we voted for our MPs, and in August we voted for our President. Overall, I think it there was not much contest, we all knew who was to emerge winner in both races. However, I think the fun was in trying to interpret who was voting for whom. There are people who prefer to keep mum on who they are rooting for, people like my dad and sis who will go "your vote is secret", but we all know who's side they are on. Then there are the less boring people like my mum, who will go around boisterously asking others who they voted for, and sharing her views on the candidates. If you're still wondering, I belong more to the latter group, that is, the fun group. However the "hustling" was not so much in trying to persuade other family members to vote alongside me. Instead it was more to get them plugged in onto the broadcasts and news feeds on youtube, the net and fb. It was in essence a battle to convert my parents over to "technology's side".

When it came to discussing with friends and colleagues, it can be mostly summarised as gossip sessions. What the candidates did, said, and wore became the staple of lunchtime talk. During the GE, being part of certain constituencies conceivably drew more "oohs and ahhs" than others. People would sit up and listen more keenly when you said you were from Aljunied or even Marine Parade. There was some unfounded swelling as others asked me for the latest scoops on Nicole Seah vs. TPL, by virtue that I was from the Marine Parade constituency. But no, I don't have anything that has not already been reported by the papers, and I've never seen my MP in all my 25 years.

Polling Card

It will be another 5 years before we get to vote again. Till then, the memory of this year's elections will stay with us. And I am still hoping to see real changes in my neighbourhood and standard of living.