Voted in and Voted out

If 'none of the above' could be an answer to our troubles, I
will seek change of thought. As the Election Commission readies a no choice
option for voters, if it happens, I will not exercise it. To me, protest is
not inaction, but positive action.
Long ago, Edmund Burke, a politician and a philosopher said, "hottest fires in hell are reserved for
those who maintain neutrality in times of moral crisis." This perhaps may
sound too pedantic for some, but even to a non-believer, the message remains
the same. If being passive was a way out of choosing between the devil and the
deep sea, how will you ever bring change?
Let's assume a majority of people does not exercise their franchise by
simply deciding not to vote. If there is a re-election in such a situation,
how sure are you of getting the right person? Will you continuously march
towards a re-election? To me, it sounds like recycling choice.
If we are chasing ideals, let's not get carried away by them. At the
ground, there are people working behind the scenes, who need encouragement. If
a particular candidate does not fit the perception of a serviceable worker,
don't vote for that person.
There are pockets of people trying to come out without a
mainstream branding of either the Congress or the BJP or the Samajwadi Party.
There are some independents, who may be eager to come forward, but our
inaction can kill that spirit by choosing not to vote.
An example I can cite is that of ABN AMRO Country Head Meera Sanyal who is contesting from South Mumbai.
Make a sensible choice because every vote counts.