Why elections matter

There is a coming election in Nigeria next week, in Thailand in March, in Indonesia in April, and the Philippines in May. In the 195 countries around the world, there are some 60 plus elections scheduled this year and in any given year, and a lot of them are in non-democratic countries.

In February alone, there are scheduled elections in El Salvador, Switzerland, Nigeria, Cuba, Moldova, and Senegal, and not all of these countries are shining examples of democracy. Some elections do not occur as scheduled because politicians and/or dictators try their best to postpone or eliminate elections to lengthen or perpetuate themselves in power.

In our Philippines, there are always rumors of no elections (NO-EL) which started during the time of Marcos. The fact that elections have been conducted since the time Marcos was ousted in a People Power revolution is a tribute to the Filipinos embracing democracy, which cannot be said of many Latin American, African, and some Asian countries.

The rise of populist/totalitarian regimes in many parts or countries in the world with the dominance of Maduro, Erdogan, Xi, Putin, and other would-be dictators are not really concerted ideological attempts to push back the march of democracy by political leaders, but individual endeavors of those currently in power to stay in power after they themselves have taken over by elections or other means.

Almost every leader in the 20th century realizes that there is a need for people or the governed to be able to express their sentiments, and elections is a good way even if they have to manipulate the elections. So, in China, Russia, Cuba, Turkey, Venezuela, and many African countries, the winners are known even before the elections.

Elections have tremendous economic effects in any country. The election activity starting from the campaign period up to the proclamation of the winners adds at least 1% to the economy or the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of that country in that year.

The expenditures of the candidates and the government expenses in holding the election on election-related materials and services kickstarts the economy by the volume of money and the faster money supply velocity during an election. It might have a lesser impact in highly-developed Nordic countries in Europe, where elections are humdrum affairs, but still significant in the US, Japan, and Great Britain, even if generally, the less developed the country, the more the elections economic impact on that country. In the Philippines, particularly, elections add 1.5% to the GDP on the year it is held. In a way, elections are a short-term redistribution of wealth, which is welcomed by the people.

But there is a bigger reason why elections matter and are very important to nations and countries. Elections are really “release mechanisms” or “escape valves” for the frustrations of the people. No government no matter how good, liberal, repressive, or strong, can really satisfy all the people, all the time.

There will always be dissent and it is only a matter of time when it will blow up. Elections are the only way to have people release their dissatisfactions. Even the harshest dictators know this so they also have elections, because the alternative violent uprising will be worse.

Elections also promote “good governance” in that it is the time politicians show or at least try to show accountability and transparency, even if they have all kinds of conflict of interest while in power; but let the voters discern it. The widespread effects of information and transmission technology in voter’s education and awareness will have an effect on elections. Let us hope, it will for better elected government officials in the Philippines and in the world.