Why do we choose not to choose?

The General Elections of 2009 will not be remembered for the many promises (false or otherwise) which our political parties make,or the manifestos which they present, or the speeches which our leaders give, or even for the shoes which have been thrown at our beloved politicians. But these elections will remembered because this election season has seen a new fashion statement evolve, that of, the little black mark on the index finger indicating that I-have-voted. Today all of Bollywood,the media and the elitist of the elite have stepped out and asked India to caste their vote. So if voting is suddenly a rage and the youth think its cool then what's everybodys problem?
The trouble is that despite the various campaigns, advertisements which are persuading India to vote, and the general excitement surrounding elections, half the country has chosen to stay put at their homes, enjoy the election day holiday and NOT VOTE. 3 phases of polling are over and yet the voter turn out is a dismal
40-50-60%.
The question then is -why does India choose not to choose?
When Mr. L K Advani fervently demands that voting be made compulsory it makes me wonder that have the rest 50% non voters already made a choice- a choice not to vote? Have they already caste their vote in not casting their vote?
Why cant we accept that not voting is a personal choice which each citizen of democratic India can make?
I don’t say that its alright not to vote because it’s too hot outside, or because you have other ‘engagements’ to attend to , but I do believe that it is alright not to vote if you think none of the candidates in your constituency deserve your vote.
If the idea is just to see numbers throng polling booths on the D-day so that the media can report a cent percent turn out, then the booths should perhaps have an option -‘None of the above’- maybe then the media, the politicians and the public will be happy because the voter turn out will probably (read: definitely) be higher than the current!