Why I voted in the UK's General Election

I won't be living in the UK in the next five years, in fact, I will be going back to my home country in July. So why did I still vote?

Well, simply because I can. Being a Malaysian - a Commonwealth citizen - I'm eligible to vote in the General Election here. 

Of which I didn't know about until I received a letter from the local council asking me to register to vote - otherwise I would have to pay a fine of £50. Initially I was shocked, thinking, surely they had made a mistake? Why the heck am I allowed to vote when I'm not a British citizen!? After a few seconds of panicking, I then proceed to dismiss the letter. Maybe I'll pretend I didn't receive it if they demand a fine. But after a few weeks, I received the same letter again. Okay, I thought to myself, I'll register. Since there's no harm in doing it, and... better be safe than sorry.

As the elections draw near, I found myself feeling grateful that I have registered to vote. Since I have the right to vote, why not exercise it? I quote a friend of mine, Jolene, "...because if we have the power to be heard, then let's bloody use it." So very true!

Most importantly, I want to stand up for fair and transparent elections. Thinking back to Malaysia's General Election in 2013, my heart wrenches with anguish. The hopes and dreams of many Malaysians dashed when the results came in on the 6th of May, revealing the opposite of what we had been hoping for - change. All the campaigning, all the rallying, all the support, all the enthusiasm, have all boiled down to nothing.

I will not forget the day my country plunged into darkness. If you look through the profile pictures of many Malaysians on Facebook, I believe you will spot a black photo sitting randomly among a happy and colourful collection of memories. That day, my timeline was filled with these literal darkness, with Malaysians expressing their hurt and anger on social media.

The reason why we were so upset was not solely because the outcome was not what many of us want, but because of what the current ruling party did to ensure their continuous grip on the country. Phantom voters, gerrymandering, voter fraud, you name it. Just google "malaysia general election 2013" and you'll find news coverage from the BBC to CNN about the country's political situation.

How are all these possible in a supposedly democratic country? The worse thing that could ever happen to a country is to be governed by unscrupulous leaders, employing all sorts of dirty tactics to assert power over the country.

Apparently, Malaysia's current ruling party is the "longest continuing ruling party in the democratic world". Come the 14th general election, which will be held in 2018, the party would be in power for 61 years. The sad truth is that nothing has changed ever since our independence, which, if you think about it, is pretty crazy.

However, I'm glad that things are changing. The previous general election has been the most intense and dramatic one in Malaysian history, and it is also one with the most voter turnout with many first-time voters. I'm glad that people are beginning to realise that it is time to do something with our voice.




My first ever vote has been given to the UK. Now I have no excuse to not vote in my country in the next general election (and the future ones). And I urge all of you reading this to vote if and when you can. You have the right to determine how you want your country to be governed in a democratic world, so please don't waste it. Don't be ignorant. It's time to stand up for what you believe in.

I still believe in the potential of my country, of course I do. It is where my roots lie, and it is where my heart will always belong. I believe in the power of Malaysians, especially the young people, to change our beloved country for the better. This coming general election, my generation will be able to vote - and I'm excited for it :)


(Pictures from Google Images)