The Voter by Chinua Achib

THE VOTER

1.Change in the attitude of the villagers

In this story , Achebe makes an attempt to give the reader a glimpse in to the life of Igbo people and offers a satirical remarks of how politics generally works.

The people of Umuofia were very ignorant and naive and voted Marcus. He won the election and became the minister of culture. Igbo people witnessed Marcus’s growth and development as a wealthy powerful Politian. Marcus builds a huge mansion in his native and names it ‘Umuofia Mansions.’ He hosts a grand dinner to all the people of his village. Now people realized how ‘politics’ can make people rich and powerful. By observing all these changes, they realized that they had underrated the power of ballot paper. So in the second election they demanded money for their votes.

3.Roof is an intelligent manipulator :

 Roof was a very strong and intelligent person of Umuofia, a village in Nigeria. Roof worked as a bicycle repairer’s apprentice for two year in Port Harcourt. He gives up his bright future and comes back to the village with the obvious intention of guiding people in difficult times.

Roof had become expert in election campaigning and a trustworthy follower of Marcus. He could tell the mood of the electoral at any given time and inform Marcus accordingly. Roof knew how to extract money and other benefits from Marcus. Even when the villagers demanded money he gave out four shillings and declared that was all he could give and he didn’t care about whom they voted for. The elders without losing their decorum, agreed to cast their vote to his leader. Thus Roof was successful in his attempt to manipulate people.

III.

1.Misuse of transparency in the democracy set up:

In this story Achebe , describes the advantages and disadvantages of democracy in Umuofia. Democracy is a system where anybody can be bribed . In the same way POP campaign leader comes to Roof  and places five pounds. Roof is mesmerized by them . there is no transparency in democratic system , as all the candidates can bribe people in the form of money or things. Roof says that he has to be loyal to Marcus he works for him. The leader reminds him that it is secret ballot and hence Marcus will not be there when Roof puts in his paper. Hence Roof accepts five pounds as his greed tempts him to do so. But he asks for assurances that the news will not be leaked and leader takes the promise on Iyi that he would cast his vote for Maduka. Through Roof  POP wanted to spread  across that they would pay in pounds and in shillings. Thus , its clearly portrayed the misuse and the absence of transparency.  

2. To every human comes a time of reckoning.

Roof , an energetic young man works for Marcus . He sacrifices his future for Igbo people. Roof becomes an expert campaigner, who successfully deals Igbo people. Roof knows how politics works and enjoys all the benefits, working for Marcus.

Roof  being an expert campaigner strikes a bargain with the voters, paying them four shillings. Everything was going according to the plans of Roof , until the visit of POP campaigner. He tempts Roof  to vote for Maduka paying him five pounds. He is trapped as they take swear on Iyi. On the day of election when Marcus suggested him to vote first, his spirit  fell and covered his deep worries , moved towards the booths. He was confronted by the car and the head. He took out his ballot paper from his pocket and looked at it. He was in a dilemma. He wondered how he could betray Marcus even in secret, on the other hand he remembered he had sworn on Iyi. He resolved to go back and return five pounds. He knew it was impossible. In a few seconds a thought leapt into Roofs mind , he folded the paper and tore into two and dropped the first half into the box meant for Maduka , as he has promised and the other half he drops for Marcus, to show his loyalty. Thus he comes out relieved.

3.Democracy is more than holding an election:

The story comments that electoral system is not transparent in the present democratic setup as there is a chance of running these election with notes instead of votes. The secret ballot is actually a mockery of the electoral system.

In this, Marcus contest in the elections and get elected. He becomes wealthy, owns two cars and big mansion. But the people of the village remain same of being poor, ignorant and naive. But after feasting in Marcus Mansion, they realized that their votes are of high value and demand money for their votes. Here roof  successfully manages the situation and pays in shillings. Roof is the representation of ordinary human who take money for his livelihood. He betrays his leader, Marcus, for whom he was a loyal  campaigner and accepted money swearing on Iyi. If every individual decides to behave in such a way then there can be no democracy.

We cannot guarantee democratic governance by merely holding elections regularly, but by educating people about their rights and duties. Such a step will make a way for good and smooth administration.

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