Are you going to vote? Why not?

Presidential election in Mail was Sunday, April 29th. When I chatted with maliens, some of them would ask me if I am going to vote, and when I say "no", they ask me why not. So, you can see there are still a lot to be done to educate people on citizenship and government.

A lot of elections are happening in my part of world this year. Mauritania just had their presidential election, and they even had two rounds where there was a debate between the last 2 candidates. Nigeria just had their presidential election, but the international community is saying there are a lot of fraudes and the oppositions contest the result. One commentator on RFI (radio francaise international) said that in many parts of africa, democracy isn't a destination we try very hard to get to, but rather a voyage. A rather long voyage indeed, a voyage where we get lost sometimes; where we take detours; where we backtrack then restart; where the plane or the train doesn't work we have to walk on foot. In June, there will be a legislative election in Mali. Togo also is suppose to have either presidential election or legislative election soon. Guinea also has legislative election scheduled, but I think the new PM has decided to reschedule it so they can properly prepare the election process. Senegal, had their presidential election in February where president Wade won a second term. He is 82 years old. Côté d'Ivoire just reached an agreement where a young rebel leader of age 35 is recently named as the new PM. Who else, la France is at their second round of their presidential election. Can you guess who I would like to win? =)