The Foolish and Uneducated Must Not Be Allowed to Vote
- Haobam Pravinsen
- Aug 26
- 4 min read
The Foolish and Uneducated Must Not Be Allowed to Vote
The title itself sounds outrageous, doesn’t it? It strikes at the very heart of democracy, at the principle of equality. The idea that some people should not be allowed to vote feels like a violation of freedom, an insult to human dignity, and an attack on the very foundation of a free society. Who decides who is foolish? Who declares another person uneducated? To many, this statement is infuriating, even dangerous.
But before you throw this page aside in anger, pause for a moment. The provocation is deliberate. Because behind this harsh sentence lies a painful truth: it is the foolishness and lack of education among voters that corrupt leaders exploit to gain power. They thrive on ignorance, they manipulate emotion, and they divide communities by religion, caste, and race. They turn elections into circuses of drama, freebies, and empty promises. And time after time, the people fall for it.
So let us face the uncomfortable irony: if the foolish and uneducated continue to vote without awareness, democracy itself becomes foolish.
The Problem With Ignorance at the Ballot Box
Elections are meant to be a test of leadership, a moment where people decide the direction of their country. But too often, they are reduced to a game of manipulation.
Politicians use money, liquor, and small gifts to buy votes.
Communities are split along religious or caste lines to create vote banks.
Theatrics and false promises are staged like dramas, distracting from real issues.
And why does this work? Because many voters do not truly understand what their leaders are supposed to do. They believe the words, but they do not examine the facts. They trust the promise, but they do not check the record. They confuse emotion with policy, and loyalty with responsibility.
This ignorance is not entirely their fault. Poverty, lack of education, and absence of civic training make them vulnerable. But the effect is the same: the wrong people come to power, while capable leaders remain ignored.
Why Education is the Real Answer
Let’s be clear: barring the foolish and uneducated from voting is not the solution. That would turn democracy into elitism, where only the privileged have a voice. It would divide society even more and create resentment.
The real solution is not to deny the right, but to prepare the voter. Just as a driver must learn the rules of the road before getting a license, voters must learn the basics of governance before casting a ballot.
Education in this context does not mean degrees or literacy alone. It means awareness. It means knowing:
What the role of a political leader actually is.
Why freebies are short-term tricks, not long-term solutions.
How religion and race are used as tools of manipulation.
What qualities define a good leader—vision, honesty, and accountability.
That a vote is not a product for sale but a responsibility to the nation.
When people understand this, they stop being “foolish” and become empowered citizens.
A Radical Proposal: The Voting Clearance System
If voting is the most powerful responsibility of a citizen, why not treat it with the seriousness it deserves? Imagine a system where every voter earns the right to vote through a simple preparation process.
Voting Clearance Slip – Before each election, citizens must attend a short civic education session. At the end, they receive a slip that allows them to vote.
The Program – It could be a one-day class in schools, community halls, or online platforms. For those who cannot attend physically, recorded lessons should be available.
What They Learn –
The duties of political leaders.
Signs of manipulation and corruption.
How to evaluate manifestos and promises.
Why unity is stronger than division.
Accountability – If someone skips the session, they forfeit their vote for that election. Missing the class is no different than failing to register for the exam.
This may sound strict, but consider this: we don’t allow people to drive without licenses, practice medicine without degrees, or teach without training. Why, then, do we allow people to vote without preparation—when that very act decides the future of the nation?
Ground-Level Ways to Educate the Masses
Village Gatherings – Local leaders can organize group viewings of recorded civic lessons, followed by discussions.
Urban Awareness Camps – NGOs and youth clubs can run street plays and workshops to show how votes are bought and misused.
Schools & Colleges – Civic awareness should be taught as a subject so the next generation enters democracy with knowledge.
Religious and Cultural Centers – Temples, mosques, churches, and community halls can host awareness sessions to neutralize political misuse of faith.
Digital Platforms – Regional language apps, SMS campaigns, and quizzes can spread civic lessons quickly.
What Makes a Good Leader?
Educating the voter is not enough unless we also teach how to choose wisely. The standard should not be caste, religion, or how many freebies a candidate offers. It should be:
Do they have a vision for development?
Do they respect all communities equally?
Have they been honest in personal and public life?
Do they stand accountable for promises already made?
Are they more concerned with building or with dramatizing?
A voter must always ask: Would I trust this person with my children’s future? If the answer is no, the vote should never go their way.
The Irony of Democracy
We began with the provocative claim: The foolish and uneducated must not be allowed to vote. At first glance, it seems cruel and undemocratic. But look deeper. The real point is not to silence these voices—it is to transform them.
Democracy cannot afford to exclude, but it also cannot afford ignorance. To keep democracy alive, we must not strip away rights, but strengthen minds. We must not mock ignorance, but cure it with education.
Conclusion: Educate Before Voting
The foolish and the uneducated must not be allowed to vote—not because they are undeserving humans, but because democracy deserves better. And the way forward is not to shut them out, but to prepare them.
Every citizen must understand that their vote is not a transaction, not a matter of identity, but an act of responsibility. A nation that invests billions in elections must also invest in voter education. Only then will our ballots reflect wisdom instead of manipulation.
The harsh title is a provocation. But the truth is simple: there should be no foolish and uneducated voters. There should only be citizens—aware, empowered, and ready to choose leaders worthy of their trust.
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