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The Voter

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73 views2 pages

The Voter

Uploaded by

Siri SB
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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The Voter

II Comprehension

1. The villagers, though innocent had observed the five years of political life of Marcus Ibe as
their leader. He had made lot of money, bought cars, bungalows and also had a private
power plant for his house. They understood the power of wealth, chieftaincy titles and other
honour that he received from politics. He had readily got all these honours and benefits
through their free votes five years ago, and they were ready to try in a different way
especially after feasting at Marcus’s mansion. They told themselves that they had
underrated the power of the ballot paper before and should not do it again in future.
2. The People’s Alliance Party had won in the previous elections and Marcus was the Minister
of Culture. The Progressive Organisation Party which was ready to field its candidate in the
forth coming elections against PAP had been formed by the tribal people down the coast to
save them from total cultural, political, social and religious oppression and they wanted to
preserve their own culture and sustain their religion. The POP knew that it had no chances of
winning against PAP, but had exhibited the foolishness to fight.
3. Roof was a very strong, intelligent and trustworthy person of the Honourable Minister
Marcus Ibe. He could guess the mood of the people before elections and inform Marcus
accordingly. He had become an expert in election campaigning at all levels. Roof conducted
a whispering campaign at night with a group of leaders and had bought the votes for Marcus
through bribing them with shillings and promised pipe-borne water. They agreed to cast
their votes to Marcus, when Roof declared what best he could offer them.

III Comprehension
1. The POP campaign leader knew that Roof works for Marcus Ibe, yet comes to him to
solicit his vote for POP. He places five pounds on the floor beside Roof. This shows that
there is no transparency in a democratic system, as all the candidates distributes money
or things to people to buy their votes. Roof was mesmerised by them but says that he
works for PAP. The POP campaigner reminds him about the secret ballot and Marcus will
not know about his vote to POP and makes him promise on Iyi that he would cast his
vote to Maduka.
2. Roof was prancing up and down, giving last minute advice to voters and urging them to
vote for Marcus. But his spirits fell when he had to vote and all morning he had masked
his deep worry with a surface exertion that was unusual for him. When he confronted
the ballot paper to cast the vote, he wondered how he could betray Marcus even in
secret. He resolved to return the five pounds but knew it was impossible as he had also
promised on Iyi. Roof had a quick decision, folded the paper, tore it in two and put half
in each box. Roof’s dilemma is not only his but also universal for those who take money.
It is neither completely accepted as moral nor punished as immoral.
3. The secret ballot exercised by Roof is actually a mockery of the electoral system. He was
in a dilemma between his loyalty to Marcus and the money received by the POP
campaigner. Unable to reject either, he decided to make his vote null and void. He might
have got rid of his guilt by that action, but wasted his precious vote. The story comments
that electoral system is not transparent in the present democratic set up because there
is a chance of running these elections with currency instead of votes. Necessary steps
have to be taken by people to change the present system to elect people in a
transparent way. We could expect a very good and transparent election system in
Democracy and it is the responsibility of every citizen to think of it.
4. Democracy is a system where every person is equal and enjoys equal rights. Every
individual has the responsibility of casting the vote and electing their leader. The citizens
of Umuofia elect their representative but he becomes rich as soon as he gets the power
and lives in luxury. He forgets about the responsibilities towards the people of Umuofia.
He enjoys the facilities like private electricity plant for his house while the people suffer
without water and electricity. Though the citizens of Umuofia are uneducated, they
could sense their free voting to Marcus in the previous election and decide not to do the
same. Marcus however is forced to spend money to get votes. Marcus might win the
election or not as he gives only few shillings. He might not fulfil the demands of the basic
necessities of the people and would not be elected next time. He doesn’t understand
the meaning of democracy, and fills people with disillusionment. Hence, the story
supports the statement.

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