Absenteeism - a voluntary self-elimination of the electoral process

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People drinking absinthe are missing views.They seem to be there, but in reality ... The Latin word «absentia» it means "no."

voter who does not want to use his constitutional right, shows absenteeism.It is an expression of political protest, so few just do not come to the polling station, all you need to do in order to demonstrate the non-appearance to the greatest possible number of citizens.Otherwise, there is a common political indifference, and sometimes simple human laziness.

With demonstrative manifestations of discontent in Soviet times fought resolutely.By the end of Election Day were preparing lists of those who did not come to the polling station by place of residence, and then sent to the specified addresses members of the electoral commission, taking with him a portable sealed ballot box.

Catching tenant, they politely asked the question about the reason for absence, and if it was good, offered to vote right at home.Dissatisfied (usually work zhilkomunhoza) testified, promised to fix it (sometimes even then deliver what they promise), and is also asked to fill in the ballot.The work was not easy, the quality was assessed by the percentage of citizens who voted.To understand the reason for non-attendance (absenteeism is a tenant or a certain apartment was too lazy to get out of the house), listen to the angry rants about the current roof, settle conflicts - all of this was paid to members of the election commission.

But all this took place during the late socialism, known in the seventies "mature."In Stalin's time were their ways of how to overcome absenteeism.This is primarily fear.People were afraid that they deem unhappy, think that they "do not like the Soviet regime."And in the difficult post-war period, dubbed the "hunger strike 47th" stimulus participation in general elections were even cakes sold in coffee shops for a symbolic price.

Typically, mass absenteeism - a clear sign of public discontent with government policies, so as totalitarian regimes try to create the impression of popular support ongoing course.In the Soviet Union, North Korea, China, and almost all the other socialist countries on the official data on the areas of not less than 95% of voters, they had fun, sang, danced, and, characteristically, were all "for".Newsreel recorded history is the triumph of the people's will.

result of the struggle for unanimity has become a common understanding of the unfortunate fact that one hundred percent turnout and voter absenteeism - the concept is almost identical, and the unanimous presence equal to the total absence.

And what is the case in countries with long democratic traditions?Everything here is not very easy.However, absenteeism and its causes are different from the situation in the will of the citizens of totalitarian states.Residents of the Italian Republic in the case of their absence in the elections exposed the moral sanctions, Mexico fined, and in Austria and Greece may even go to jail for a period of months to a year, apparently depending on the degree of cynicism and neglect manifested in relation to the electionlegislation.

Despite these strict measures, in countries with a democratic form of government, is considered to be a normal turnout half or more able-bodied population.Typically, this figure ranges from 50 to 70%, peaking at a particularly critical when really solved the fateful question of the future of social order and the vector of further development.

Causes of absenteeism may be in the anonymity of candidates running for a particular position (when no choice of one), and in general with respect to the political system of the state, besides a certain percentage of voters is convinced political nihilists who vote do not goprinciple.