Voting in Guinea Irrational, but Commendable

                Voters in Guinea turned out in record numbers last Saturday for the Parliamentary Election, with an estimated 80% of eligible voters showing up to the polls. Rationally it makes little sense for any individual to go out and vote, especially for voters in Guinea, who faced very high costs in attending the polls last Saturday. There were complaints of very long slow lines due to technical difficulties and high turnout. However, the opportunity cost was not the highest cost, many voters had to put their personal safety at risk. Between 2008 and 2010, the people of Guinea were oppressed under a military regime, and according to VOA News, this first parliamentary election “was considered the last step in Guinea’s transition from military dictatorship to civilian rule.” In the weeks leading up to the election, many were injured and one was killed in campaign strife between opposing parties. Showing up to vote, therefore was to put oneself at great personal risk.

                Nevertheless voters turned out in droves, and there are a few reasons that may have transcended the above mentioned economic rationality. Guineans have been spending the last five years fighting an oppressive regime, and this election is an opportunity to put the final nail in the coffin, solidifying civilian rule. Therefore many feel it is their civic duty to vote, and to not vote would be comparable with supporting the enemy, showing the possibility of social pressure.  A second reason would be utility derived from voting. These elections have been postponed continually for the last two years, and it sure would feel good to just put your vote in and be able to say, “We finally did it, it’s done.”