Does voting serve any purpose? I have asked myself the question too many times in the last month, from going to the elections in the first round until now when we return to them, to participate in the final vote in the elections, who should carry this heavy package full of urban violence, mafia actions, crackdowns, corruption and little hope for the future as our beloved Ecuador has become.

When I see that the constitutional reforms that were supposed to refound the country were consulted and approved, and today we are worse than before that constitutional assembly in 2008; when the number of promises made on platforms and social networks is measured against how many of them are actually fulfilled; the times in which social security was invoked between labor rights and modernization intentions, without any improvement in either profile; or, more recently, the lack of intention to comply with the majority electoral will to stop the controversial oil exploitation of Yasuní, a decision ignored by those called to obey it, whether they like it or not.

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Filling out applications to the desired house is one of the oldest strategies of local campaigns, dating back to 1979, when democracy was restored. Somewhat younger was the promise that the cash reserve would be useful, as if it was nonsense to have it.

The same question comes to mind: is voting useful for anything? Are we really convinced that this effort will make the country better? Or are we just fulfilling our civic duty or, even worse, are we doing it for a “piece of paper” that some inspired bureaucrat can claim at any time even if there are provisions to the contrary?

Then I am filled with optimism and answer again and again: “Of course it helps!!!”. We must use the power that voting gives us, however momentary it may be, and not give up in the interest of achieving a better future, even if reality pushes us to ruin.

Filled again with tireless optimism, we go to the elections. I invite those who read me to do so with faith.

For Democrats, The voice is the strongest weapon we can have in our hands in the permanent fight against corruption, tyranny, excessive ambitions which does not intend to affect the impoverished population, because in the context of its interests, this is nothing more than collateral damage. If we carry it out with responsibility and conviction, and not just seduced by dancing and colorful jokes, voting is a grain of sand that wants to fill with hope and solidarity that vast beach of national coexistence.

And a fundamental part of its utility is in creating an option, the one you want, the one connected to your reality, and rejecting the idea that canceling or leaving a gap is perhaps better than setting it aside, at times when the nation demands as never before the conscience and action of its children.

Filled again with tireless optimism, we go to the elections. I invite those who read me to do so with faith. If you still have doubts, look around you: maybe some of the creatures we protect need that boost, the exercise of the right to vote, to govern this turbulent earth. (OR)