This story by Chinua Achebe uses irony to highlight vote-buying in Nigerian village elections. A sitting politician’s wealth and lifestyle have improved dramatically since being elected. To retain his place at the trough, he appoints a group of canvassers to bribe influential villagers. His most trusted canvasser faces a dilemma, He is offered an unheard-of bribe to vote for the opposition, provided he swears on a talisman that will bring ill-fortune if he doesn’t do so. He takes the money, and creatively finds a way to avoid being disloyal to either party. Themes include corruption, politics, vote-buying, superstition, loyalty.
The Voter Text / PDF (2,450 words)