Blindness by José Saramago

The provided text from José Saramago's "Blindness" explores the aftermath of a significant number of blank votes in an election, viewed as an act of dissent by the governing power. The government grapples with how to interpret and respond to this unprecedented event, initially suspecting conspiracy or foreign influence. Their efforts to investigate, through both infiltration and interrogation, are met with widespread legalistic obstruction from the populace. As the situation escalates, the government declares a state of siege on the capital city, further isolating its inhabitants. Internal conflicts arise within the government regarding the best course of action, leading to increasingly drastic and questionable measures. The narrative follows the reactions and strategies of various political figures and a police commissioner tasked with uncovering the reasons behind the blank votes, revealing a society grappling with authority and the meaning of democratic participation.