It's down to the people now. Who will they choose? No, I'm not talking about another sub-par reality television show, I'm talking about the elections – yes, that important process that shapes our system, yet something that more and more of us turn a blind eye to. So instead of tuning in to Britain's Got Talent to choose between a uni-cycling dog, or a teenager who raps while doing a handstand and cooking scrambled eggs - why not do a little research on the candidates that will polish up, or mess up this country for the next few years...

It's that time again, and citizens around the world are stepping up to have their say. People in India are deciding on a new Lok Sabha (lower house), whilst South Africans have recently decided on Jacob Zuma and the African National Congress to take the reins. In June in the UK, we'll get the chance to vote with elections to the European Parliament and English county councils, but how many of us will actually bother?

Judging by the dying numbers of active voters, it seems the right to vote is something too many take for granted. Bear in mind - it was only 81 years ago that women in the UK were given the same political rights as men - a platform that was fought for over many years.

So why are we so apathetic about a process that has given South Africa Nelson Mandela in 1994, and Obama today – all thanks to democratic elections?

Ctrl.Alt.Shift went out on to the streets of Leeds to find out what the public have to say about voting, asking:

How important are democratic elections (here, and in developing countries?)
Did you know there are elections happening in the UK in June this year? Are you going to vote?
Do you think we're too apathetic about voting compared to those in poorer countries fighting for a vote, or banned from voting?
What are your thoughts on making voting compulsory?

Clare, 20:
"Voting is important everywhere so that people can express what they feel and want. No, I didn't know there were elections - though I should know more than I do. I would vote if I knew enough about the candidates and was able to research them, but if not then I wouldn't vote. I think that women should support the fact we have the right to vote though - but I guess people in general don't vote because they don't know enough about it. No, I don't think voting should be made compulsory, as people would just tick a box. But we should explain politics to people, and encourage people to vote."

James, 22:
"It's extremely important to vote, especially when they're democratic. No, I wasn't aware you could vote in June. I would vote, if I had manifestos, the time to find out about the policies, read more about what they stood for etc. People don't really have the time to do that, but if I find the time then I'll vote. Yeah we are apathetic. We have a higher quality of life and so people don't see the need to vote. It's not perfect here but so much better than somewhere like Zimbabwe. Yes, it would be good to get people out to the polls but as long as they could abstain. Other things are compulsory, like paying taxes - so we could make voting compulsory too."

Charlotte, 18:
"It's important to vote here but not so much in developing countries. Yeah I knew they (the elections) were happening. I will vote, as women fought for the right to vote. Yeah, people do not know enough about the system, or what they're voting for and why it's important. But it would be a waste of time making voting compulsory; you would have to chase the people who didn't vote. If people don't want to vote, fair enough."

Goldstone, 19:
"Voting is important here but not so much in developing countries; for democratic elections to work you need stability and things not changing all the time for about 10 to 15 years. Yeah, I knew about the elections - I will vote, probably out of obligation. My local MP is a bit of a knob, and so I want to get him out. I don't think people in poor countries should be so hung up on voting - there are people working to help them in social and economic ways and like I said, you need a stable economy before democratic elections can work. People here need to have the system explained to them, and they need to be told what to do and why to do it. Compulsory voting would make too much administration work and it's not good to force people to do things."

Kailey, 20:
"Voting is very important, wherever you are. No, I didn't really know about the elections. I don't think I'm registered but I would like to vote - I think it's important to voice my opinion. Yeah, I think we are too apathetic - here we're too lazy. Though I think voting is more important for people in poorer countries, where there are worse conditions. Yeah, I think we should make it compulsory. A lot of people don't vote. It would make sense to get everyone's opinion."

Manon, 20:
"It's very important to vote - I know there's a lot of controversy about imposing democracy but I think it has a lot to bring. It needs to be a fair democracy though. Yes I knew about the elections. I will vote, and I think we should recognise out right to vote is a privilege. Yes I think people here are too apathetic - they are mostly content, complaining about small scale problems and thinking there's nothing to vote about. It might change in the recession though. Voting should be made compulsory but education should come with it. We don't want people voting for parties without knowing what they're about. I read a story about an old lady voting for the BNP not knowing what they were about but because they said they had family values."

Elections to the European Parliament and English county councils are coming up on 4 June 2009.
 
For more information on how to get on the register and vote please visit www.aboutmyvote.co.uk

Photos: James Prosho