MARICAR A.

ENRIQUEZ
BSN-1B

"My Voting Experience : A Civic Duty and Personal Reflection"

The most recent election has had a profound impact on me as a Filipino citizen,
serving as a powerful awakening. It is an incredibly disheartening reality to witness,
especially considering the immense hope we had placed in former VP Leni Robredo's
presidential candidacy. This experience has compelled me to raise the bar for our
government, urging them to take decisive action and not settle for the bare minimum.
Our fellow countrymen deserve more than just mediocre efforts in serving our nation.
Selecting righteous leaders is not only a civic duty but also a fundamental right as
human beings. It empowers us to choose what we believe is the best for our
community, specifically our Barangay. As a part of kabataan, I place significant
importance on participating in the voting process and collaborating in the selection of
new Barangay Kagawads, Punong Barangay, and Sangguniang Kabataan Chairman. It
is not merely a requirement, but rather a genuine desire to wholeheartedly entrust the
governance of our Barangay to individuals who possess the neces sary capabilities and
unwavering dedication.By actively participating in the voting process, we can ensure
that our voices are heard and that the leaders we elect truly represent our interests and
concerns. This democratic exercise empowers us as young citizens to contribute to the
development and progress of our Barangay, fostering a sense of ownership and
responsibility towards our community.

As a first-time registered voter, I experienced a mix of nerves and excitement. I

was anxious about finding my precinct number and potentially making mistakes during
the voting process. However, I was also eager to see how the voting process compared
to our school's SGO election. I was thrilled to find that it was quite similar, with the only
difference being the use of a thumbmark instead of a signature. Fortunately, my best
friend and I were in the same precinct, which provided some reassurance. We patiently
waited in line for our ballot papers and took turns writing down the names of our
preferred candidates. Initially, I was apprehensive because I didn't personally know all
the candidates, but my best friend reassured me that it was acceptable to skip those I
was unfamiliar with. In the end, I voted for four SK kagawads and seven barangay
kagawads. I chose six women and one man for the kagawad positions because I
believe in the leadership capabilities of women. They not only make rational decisions
but also consider matters with their hearts, much like a mother's instincts.

One essential civic responsibility that is essential to a democracy's operation is

voting. It matters because it gives people the ability to voice their opinions, hold elected
officials responsible, support representation, guarantee orderly handovers of power, and
have an impact on policy decisions. In addition, voting promotes civic education, rights
protection, social cohesiveness, and the maintenance of checks and balances. A
democracy may find it difficult to run smoothly and run the risk of losing the advantages
it provides to its people as well as its legitimacy if there is a lack of broad involvement in
the electoral process. Without active participation in voting, there is a danger of
marginalized communities feeling unheard and excluded from the decision-making
process. This can lead to a loss of trust in the democratic system and potentially
undermine social stability. Additionally, a lack of broad involvement in elections may
result in policies that do not accurately reflect the diverse needs and values of the
population, ultimately hindering progress and development.