The people who cast the votes don't decide an election, the people who count the votes do

The people who cast the votes don't decide an election, the people who count the votes do

Joseph Stalin, the infamous Soviet dictator, is often credited with the quote, "The people who cast the votes don't decide an election, the people who count the votes do." This statement perfectly encapsulates Stalin's ruthless approach to maintaining power and control over the Soviet Union during his reign from the 1920s to the 1950s.

Stalin's rise to power was marked by a series of manipulative tactics, including the manipulation of elections. While Stalin presented himself as a champion of the people, he was quick to silence any opposition and ensure that his rule remained unchallenged. By controlling the counting of votes, Stalin was able to secure his position as the undisputed leader of the Soviet Union.

Stalin's quote highlights the importance of not only casting votes, but also ensuring that those votes are accurately counted. In a democratic society, the counting of votes is meant to be a transparent and fair process, allowing for the will of the people to be accurately reflected in the outcome of an election. However, in Stalin's Soviet Union, the counting of votes was a tool used to consolidate power and suppress dissent.

Stalin's manipulation of elections and control over the counting of votes had devastating consequences for the people of the Soviet Union. Opposition parties were banned, dissenters were silenced, and political opponents were purged in Stalin's brutal campaigns of repression. The quote serves as a chilling reminder of the lengths to which authoritarian leaders will go to maintain their grip on power.