Ways To be Responsible Citizens

Election in Timor Leste

By: Acacio Angel

Lao Hamutuk posted essential questions not only for political parties but voters to consider. should citizens continue to act like they know nothing and that they could always be manipulated by the politicians? the answer is not yes or no. 

Think this way. Regardless of which party wins the election, people will remain the same. There will be new government formed and the others  be oppositions while ordinary people remain ordinary.  This happens everywhere in the world. Politicians manipulate voters to get to power and once thay are in power, they can do whatever they want without having to deliver their promises during the campaigns; the voters are simple means to small groups' end. So sad. Voters can turn this arround.  

Voters can change the way Timorese are practicing democracy and doing politics. They have to question  the political parties on their vision and action plan for the country in the coming 5 years and the impacts to TL as a country in the future. Political parties that do not have clear plan on the issues of the country's economy growth, self reliance, poor education, unemployment, security, elderly care, justice system and moral lives and foreign policy should not be allowed to enter campaign in the election. However, simple people cannot block the political parties because the constitution protects them.

The best way to avoid the many misleading political parties is not to waste your votes during the election. In other words, vote big political parties that are well established and have the competence and capacity to rule the country towards steady economic growth and bring about prosperity. Voting to such parties are ways to be responsible citizens and call big parties to be accountable to their promises.

This is the way we show quality in practicing democracy and bring back value to doing politics. Citizens have to be responsible to their votes for you get what you vote for. Less than this, our doing politics gets nowhere and TL remains where it is. 

It is your choice.