Vote: A Newbie's Perspective.

Note: I hope you read the word 'Newbie'.

May 10th, 2013:

5:00 pm:
Is enjoying a movie marathon with a friend. Tells friend to vote. Friend is already voting. Celebrates the fact that they're both voting (I said newbie). Can feel the spirit. Movie marathon slightly loses it's charm. (Except that boogie man is scary).

7:30 pm:
Last minute thoughts (typical, paranoid, skeptic). Am I voting for the right party/candidate? Do I have the right polling station? My registration is confirm right?

11:00 pm:
Decides to sleep. Big day tomorrow.

May 11th, 2013:

1:40 am:
Can't sleep. The CIE-result-feeling takes over. Tries to divert attention. Facebook is of no help.

7:20 am:
Are we ready to vote? We are. Polling stations, not so much. Tries to sleep for another 15 minutes. Fails.

10:30 am:
Polling has begun. Let the panic begin. Where's my NIC? It's with Ammi. Check polling station multiple times.

11:45 am:
First news of rigging comes out. Doesn't budge, I will still vote. Time to head out.

12:00 noon:
That is one loooong line.

12:35 pm:
Finally inside the polling station. Line begins at the end of looooong stairway. Tries to distract from heat and lack of breathing space. Meets some interesting people. This includes an Elderly Lady who, on her way back after voting, stops and tells us, "Larkiyon yeh tumhara haq hai. Har paanch saal apna haq ada karna." (Girls, this is your right. Fulfill it every five years). She is close to tears. Newbie holds back her's. The air is suddenly energetic.

1:20 pm:
So the line is supposed to divide. Where's the sign? Walk ahead like a boss. God bless the lady who pointed that out.

1:21pm:
Inside the polling room (I said Newbie). This is NOT what they showed on TV. Another line. Personal space does not exist.

1:40 pm:
Sees familiar faces and feels proud of making it this far. Inks both thumbs in excitement (Newbie is a lefty). Says Bismillah and stamps on favorite party (I said Newbie). Drops ballot papers in the correct boxes. Hands shivering. Passes a retarded smile to the presiding officers laughing at her shivering hands (I said newbie).

1:57 pm:
We're done? I voted? I voted! The excitement kicks in on the way back home
(I admit, newbie). Customary thumb picture, followed by a status update.

2:10 pm:
Reaches home and calls friend. Goes insane and freaks him out. Oh and it's also his birthday so...anyway, I voted! Oh wait did you say free stuff? (Yes, and I also said newbie)

3:45 pm:
Gets free stuff.

4:30 pm:
Reality check! A lot of people didn't vote. Excitement becomes anger.

5:30 pm:
Feels helpless. Switches between news and facebook. Can't take anymore rigging videos. Anger turns to sheer frustration.

7:00 pm:
So I vote again? Bring it on!

8:00 pm:
They're voting. They're not voting. But I'm from the same sector. What am I supposed to do? (Go ahead, newbie) These results are bogus.

8:35 pm:
Results kick in. Was I under a delusion all this long? We want real news! Fake results. Real results. Tentative results. Predicted results. I hate *insert certain politician's name*'s face! Changes the channel and watches Fatmagul instead. I've had enough.

10:00 pm:
Clearly not. People are still voting? Apparently MY vote was torn apart too. Why did I vote anyway! Frustration turns to hopelessness.

May 12th, 2013:

2:00 am:
Why am I still watching this? Turns off TV and switches to Facebook. Mixed feelings. Proud and disappointed at the same time.

10:00 am:
Hah! Back to work. Thinks about yesterday. Birthday boy had suggested a blog post. How about that?

11:20 am:
Deletes a draft full of emotional, practical (yes I know those are opposites), critically analyzed views on Election Day.

12:00 noon:
Posts a simple, unbiased (I tried) account instead.