The Vote That Didn’t Count

 

Logline: A disillusioned citizen, scrolling through social media, uncovers allegations of electoral fraud from both opposition and ruling parties, sparking a passionate rant questioning the legitimacy of India’s elections and the value of their vote

Setting: A dimly lit room, late evening. The glow of a smartphone illuminates RO’s face as they scroll through social media, reacting to a press conference. 

Characters: - 

  1. RO: A frustrated, sarcastic Indian citizen, disillusioned with politics. 
  2. Anurag Thakur: BJP leader alleging fake votes. 
  3. Rahul Gandhi: Congress leader demanding electoral transparency.
  4. Priyanka Gandhi : Congress leader, mentioned in passing.
  5. Election Commission of India: Accused of failing to ensure transparent elections. 

**INT. RO’S ROOM - NIGHT** RO, mid-30s, slouches on a couch, phone in hand, scrolling social media. His face shifts from boredom to intrigue.

RO  (V.O.) *(sarcastic)* Wasting time on social media, as usual, and boom—Anurag Thakur’s press conference pops up. Fake votes, not just in Mahadevapura, everywhere. He’s got data, numbers, the works. Says it’s all fake. Interesting, but I only caught the gist.

CUT TO : Mental image of ANURAG THAKUR at a podium, waving documents, as REPORTERS scribble furiously. 

RO  (V.O.) Then there’s Rahul Gandhi. Says the Election Commission gave him only hard copies—no digital data. Took him six months and 50 people to make a “world-class” presentation. Some call it genius; others, a joke. But how did Thakur analyze *his* data so fast? Einstein-level brilliance or what? 

FLASHBACK : RAHUL GANDHI at a desk, poring over stacks of papers, frustrated.
Cut to ANURAG THAKUR confidently presenting charts to a crowd. 

RO  (V.O.) Thakur’s been at it for months but stayed quiet until Rahul spoke. No guts? And now, both Congress and BJP agree the Election Commission botched the 2024 elections. Fake votes in Wayanad, Akhilesh Yadav’s constituency, everywhere. 

CUT TO : Montage of chaotic polling stations, voters in line, and officials looking overwhelmed. 

RO  (V.O., emotional) I took a train from Bangalore to my old town to vote against a party in my state. Thought my vote mattered. My parents called me a fool, but I believed in the system. Now? I feel stupid. Who did we even elect—Rahul? Priyanka? Modi? The trust is gone. 

CLOSE-UP : RO’s face, lit by the phone, eyes wide with realization. 

RO  (V.O., urgent) Both sides say the elections weren’t transparent. So who’s governing us? What’s happening to this country? We’re distracted by stray dogs while our votes might mean nothing. CUT TO: RO stands, pacing, phone still in hand. 

RO (V.O., resolute) If your vote feels doubtful, it’s your duty to talk about it. Pick a side—Rahul, Thakur, Congress, BJP—and spread awareness. Just don’t stay silent. 

FADE OUT: RO types furiously on their phone, posting to social media, as the screen fades to a lotus blooming in the filth. 

Democracy isn’t just about casting a vote. It’s about believing that vote counts. And right now, that belief is hanging by a thread.

- Rafiq Oulia 

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