Is this what your vote is worth? (From Asian Image)

Is this what your vote is worth?

12:18pm Wednesday 28th March 2007 in News features By Asian Image reporter

The local elections are looming and familiar claims and counter-claims are being made by the political parties.

In the midst of all of this the Asian vote in many constituencies has become ever more important. The usual suspects are hovering around and looking to pounce on your votes.

At this important time you would expect an informed and engaging discussion to be taking place between those who stand as prospective candidates and the general public. But in Asian neightbourhoods is this the case?

Or has the baradari (clan) system so blinded some people that the real issues get swept under the carpet?

The months of March and April are crucial for local politicians looking to get elected. And as the canvassing continues one familiar trait is about to rear its ugly head.

Many will now be wining and dining' their respective clan leaders and their families for their support and among this crowd somewhere will be the few votes that may end up deciding wards.

We tried to speak to prospective candidates about why this act takes place. Not surprisingly, none were forthcoming bar one. He decided to remain anonymous.

"I can't see what is wrong with it.

"If you want to get elected you have to hold such events. I know it seems you are trying to buy a vote through feeding someone but not only the Asian community does this.

"It is just in the Asian community things are more visible because we end up holding events where more people turn up. We like to hold big events and get as many people to them as possible. As long as the food is good no-one really bothers about anything else.

"I want to count on people's votes and if this is one way of ensuring they are on my side then what's wrong with it?"

The legacy of voting through a baradi (clans) was one the first generation brought over from our native countries. But these days it seems young people are continuing to emulate their elders by either becoming prospective clan leaders or ensuring people vote on baradi lines.

Many events disguised as community events are being used to woo the voters.

Many people may well promise extra attention to issues affecting them such as housing grants, schooling and mosque-related issues but the reality is far from that,.

What they are really getting for their support is a samosa and if lucky some chicken legs.

That is not to say voters are not intelligent enough to decide for themselves.

There is frustration at how only the similar kind' of person seems to get elected or put forward.

If you havn't got a degree in the politics of our native country then you need not apply ladies and gentlemen.

Ex-councillor Salim Sidat said it was time for the younger generation to step forward.

He told us, "I have noticed that when elections time comes some candidates will have events where food is served, as if trying to buy votes.

"I felt that during this time there was no manifesto or what the candidate was standing fo. It was a case of here's the food now give me your votes.' "What about the woman's vote? how were they going to vote, do they know who the candidate is?

"Our woman are educated, they have an opinion, let them express it."

"Baradari, in some way is a very good thing to have, but when people rely on this system to get votes, well that is where I think we are going wrong "As I have said in the past, we need our younger generation taking part, they are educated, they know who to deal with people."

One gets the feeling local polititcal parties are complicit in this and do nothing or little to encourage constructive debate within the Asian community.

So next time you get an invitation to pop down to the local community centre for a plate of loonay chawal' (brown rice) and a bhotee (chicken leg) why not actually question the man or woman standing on why you should vote for him or her.

You may well be surprised by the answer you get.