The essence of democracy – Emma Portelli Bonnici

When best-selling author Sharon Salzburg was asked why she always voted, she replied that “voting is the expression of our commitment to ourselves, to one another, to our country and to the world”.

Voters’ turnout in Malta is among the highest in Europe, standing at just over 92 per cent in the 2017 general election, while the 2019 local and European elections saw a turnout of 72 per cent.

Voter participation is the essence of democracy. Opponents of democracy do all in their power to try to negate the right to vote, either to the population as a whole or specifically the part of the population that is likely to vote against their party or candidate.

If recent opinion polls are anything to go by, the next election in Malta is likely to set a most unwanted record: that of the lowest turnout since independence.

The right to vote is not only a privilege, it’s a duty. Not having an opinion on how your country is run borders on dereliction of one’s civic duty. It sends the wrong message to politicians, especially those in government. By not voting, a person is essentially saying: “Do what you like because I really don’t care. I am not that bothered about my own future, my country’s...