by Shobhaa De

I speak on behalf of thousands of citizens like myself who became victims of a corrupt and confused system on April 26?a dark day in the history of our city. V-O-T-E is perhaps the single most powerful four-letter word in a democracy. But on Monday, that word was neutered.

At the risk of sounding over-dramatic, I can tell you I feel raped by the system. Raped, abused and powerless. I can yell, scream, cry, write letters, mobilise public opinion, but at the end of the day, the fact remains I could not vote.

So someone’s won. Someone’s laughing. Someone’s saying ‘‘Let these people shout, what difference will it make? Nothing can change those numbers now.’’

I do not for a minute believe it was a technical error. If I’m sounding paranoid, I have the right to. These elections will go down as, perhaps, the most manipulated in our history?we may never know the faces of those who masterminded the entire operation.

Being an optimist, I arrived at the polling station I’ve been voting at for over 20 years. I’d been forewarned my name did not feature on the current list, so I went from the Government Law College to the Collector’s office well in advance to ensure all our names (there are seven registered voters in our home) were duly restored. When I got to G D Somani School around 11.30 am on voting day, I found several irate Cuffe Parade residents demanding explanations about the omissions. One solitary zonal officer pleaded helplessness, while those manning the desks refused to answer any questions. Fortunately, I met ace cop Ahmed Javed, who sent two havaldars to the Collector’s office. Within half-an-hour he’d called back to say, ‘‘The news isn’t good?your names do not appear anywhere.’’ He suggested I go to the Collector’s office myself. When I got there at 1.30 pm, our names were not to be found. ‘‘Madam, you do not exist,’’ I’d been told.

The Collector Dr (Pradeep) Vyas, was polite but < span class="style2" onMouseMove="LinkDetail('a. 1 유연성[탄력성]이 없는; 굳은(rigid), 단단한 2 완고한(obstinate), 단호한');this.style.cursor='default'" onMouseOut="ClearDetail()">unyielding. He made out like it was all my fault, insisting his officers had done everything to make sure every registered voter had received valid forms. Finally, he offered to hand over the all-important Form VI, so I could re-register for the next elections!!

By that time, I’d lost it. I was feeling humiliated, defeated, and worse, cheated. What sort of democracy is this, I asked myself, as once again I went back to G D Somani School, perhaps hoping for a miracle?

A day later, the rage has been replaced by a mission. It is not just about me and my own family.

A system that roughly snatches away the most powerful tool a citizen possesses in a working democracy is sending out a strong and sinister signal. Take away a citizen’s vote and you violate that individual. You strip that person naked. You strike at the core of freedom itself. I shall stay invested in my beloved India forever.

It is my country. I am proud of it.

But I shall also demand a price in return?I want my vote back.

Jai Hind.