The vote: Prayer, a wish

These are the original meanings of the word vote (from Latin Votum), when it was first used between 1425 and 1475 in ancient Rome.

In those days, to vote, was to make a promise to a deity; a promise to give something, to construct something in honour of the deity; or to dedicate something or even one’s self to  it; in return for the deity’s favour or blessings, or even victory during wars.

It was also a prayer, a solemnity, characterised by speaking solemnly about a matter; and it was a desire or hope for something, someone or for a particular situation.
Voting from its inception was quiet a serious matter.

In ancient Rome, vote or votum had a public dimension, where the government (legislature) would decree a votum (public vows for the wellbeing of Roman rulers), and it was an offence for anyone not to be part of these public blessings uttered upon, and legislated on behalf of leaders!

Indeed, one would be deemed a traitor, if he or she absented himself or herself.

Choice

In modern times, the vote is the choice or election of a political leader by suffrage. 

It is no longer a prayer for the granting of favours, nor a prayer, vow or solemn (considered) act for the granting of wishes, but a demonstration of the will for a particular candidate or leader.

We undertake it causally, often passionately with the conviction (not wish or desire) that a preferred candidate has already won.

In preparation towards voting, we forcefully make declarations about preferred candidates; joyously brag over their candidatures (even before the vote is cast and counted) and shout and cry ourselves hoarse in passionate adulation over them as they stop over to campaign sometimes in our communities.

Political leaders court for votes deceitfully, promising heaven on earth, pretending to be championing causes of development and growth that are dear to the electorate, sometimes throwing money and gifts at us... all for the vote.

For them, the vote can be had at the right price, whichever appeals to each individual. So, for some Ghanaians, their vote can be had if the right promises are made, even if by subterfuge; it can be had if the right relationships are struck, or if the right material things are provided at campaigns, food, drinks, water, transportation, pocket money. 

Prayer

However, the vote must be a solemn act as was the case at the time the word was first used, from political candidates to the electorate.

For presidential candidates, they must know that the vote is a sacred act by the 18,741,159 registered voters on behalf of Ghana, it is a sacred, solemn act of choosing who to lead in the next four years for progress and development, an onerous duty.

It is a vow we are making, a solemn pledge for a leader we commit to for direction, it is a prayer to God, to grant us that one person, selfless, and who would champion our collective aspiration for good.

For parliamentary candidates, the vote for them would be the collective prayers of all the registered voters of their respective constituencies.

As in ancient Roman times when all was committed in vowing (blessing) the ruler, the December 7, 2024 vote would be the prayers of the 18,741,159 registered voters (and all registered voters of the 276 constituencies across the country); it would be their vows and wishes for the best for Ghana’

For voters, the vote is solemn, it is a vow, priceless. Let us all vote as a prayer to God to establish his leader.

Writer’s E-mail: caroline.boateng@graphic.com.gh