Tuesday, July 03, 2007 Editorials: Low voters’ turnout in Carcar poll
THE turnout of voters for Sunday’s cityhood plebiscite in Carcar was not the lowest in the country, but there’s a seeming indifference there that needs a deeper look.
Only about 28 percent of Carcar’s registered voters went to the polling precincts, higher than Parañaque’s seven percent but lower than Bogo’s 60 percent.
Note that 82 percent voted in the May 14 polls, also in Carcar.
Concern
Comparing a plebiscite from an election of officials won’t work, though, the latter being partisan and personal and therefore generates more voter interest than the former.
But a low turnout should mean something, especially for pro-city-hood Carcar officials who spearheaded the celebration and fireworks display after the counting.
They will have to take responsibility for the outcome of the move.
Of course, rarely do efforts to raise the status of a municipality to a city come from below, and what happened to Carcar is no exception.
But that does not mean that people’s awareness should be overlooked, after all, they will be the ones who will bear the brunt of any negative effect the act will bring.
Interest
While the question in a city-hood plebiscite is only answerable by yes or no, voters decision must be an informed one and not prompted solely by dictates from above.
More than that, the political exercise should generate enough interest for the constituents not only to debate on the issue but more so to go to the polling precincts.
One could not blame some sectors, therefore, if they question the preparedness of the people of Carcar for the plebiscite and eventually for city-hood.
Support
That, though, may no longer matter much considering that Carcar is now city.
But it should encourage officials to continue explaining to their constituents the benefits of city-hood and ease the worries of some people there.
The transition from municipality to a city, while it generates an upbeat feeling among those concerned, is still a difficult and long process.
But the job can be made easier if officials of the new city get full support from their constituents, which can only be acquired if the latter’s level of awareness is high.
