How to win campus elections
“On the day of debates take your time.
Don’t hurry. Forge a memorable presence. Be audible, articulate and
authoritative. Do not shake or sweat. Have unbowed confidence. Seize the moment
to tell your story the best way you know how.
Be simple and clear. In journalism we say stories which are hard to tell
they are also hard to sell.
BY
MUSYOKA NGUI
Since
this semester started the university has been engulfed in election euphoria.
Contestants could not be more polite and conscious. I have been begged to join
campaign secretariats since December holiday but gave an emphatic no. This gave
me impeccable chance to see the action from the sidelines.
By the
virtue of my position as the Managing Editor of campus magazine Varsity Post I cannot
compromise the integrity of the paper by dragging it to the murky waters of
politics. As such the Journalism Club has barred its members from campaigning
or publicly supporting candidates. Already the whip has been cracked against
errant members who defied the constitution. The honourable thing to do is to
resign and plunge into politics. We have no issues about that and good luck for
the bold move. To the 2014 student election contestants, good luck and may the
best candidates win.
Now
without much ado let’s unpack the strategies which will lead you to the
governing body of CUSA.
First,
declare your interest early. Some candidates expressed their interests last
year. They knew there will be elections this January. If you come late and
craft a shoddy campaign be sure to be the loser. Those who think ahead have the
advantage of putting their house in order and correct any anomaly that may
hinder their ambitions. They don’t chase electoral commission during the last
minute to be cleared. For instance, they know that only those who meet the 60 %
threshold in academic performance will be allowed to contest. Just because you
are bona fide Chuka University student it does not mean that you have a free
pass. Neither will your looks or pocket depth count or tribal numbers.
Do not
bore the voters with policies. Be realistic in your manifesto. Truth is most of
the contestants are neither called to serve nor do they have the students’
interests at heart. Some are just greedy for power. Others are reeling under extreme
peer pressure of if-so-and-so-is vying-why-not-me. This me-too attitude is
crowding the space for the genuine aspirants who really deserve the various
seats up for grabs. I do not deny that comrades can notice leadership traits in
you and advise you to throw your hat in the ring. But if you feel the inner
voice telling you otherwise obey and decline politely.
Design
your campaign posters attractively. A close up will do the trick. This will
boost your visibility and help comrades remember you at the ballot booth. They
will easily identify you from the pack.
Some contestants get it wrong by taking a full photo or showing up to
their waists and knees. We don’t care about your trunk. Give us your head and
may be the shoulders. Period. Have some fliers to leave behind to tap the
undecided. Be brief .
A black
and white poster is too analogue and unappealing. Better have a few coloured
posters than many black and whites without identity. Even the government is urging
TV broadcasters to go digital. Who are you to drag us back to the prehistory?
On
online presence, push your agenda on Facebook’s CUC Live and any other social
media forums where comrades converge.
Monitor the feedback. A personal reply to a like and comment will go a
long way in convincing comrades that you actually have time for them.
Send
unlimited SMSes to friends and tell them to forward the same to at least ten of
their friends. The message will reach far and wide. After all, you are marketing
yourself and you never know the recipients may end up voting for you.
Propaganda
will target your reputation and question your eligibility. Take it easy. If you
get time to corner your critics nail them like you are making a coffin.
Challenge them to table verifiable evidence to authenticate their wild and
sensational claims. If it is falsehoods they will be embarrassed and you will
be vindicated. Milk the moment dry by playing the victim and you will earn
sympathy votes.
Recruit
like minded comrades to sell you door to door. Let them visit every hostel
around. Target the peak period such as evening between 7 pm and 9 pm. Be
orderly and take full control of your troops. They should not defame your
rivals or tear opponents’ posters. They should be peaceful and courteous. Live
up to the sacred ideals of democracy. Appreciate divergent opinions and respect
the rights and freedoms of others. Be the bastion of plurality.
An added
advantage is to get on board prominent opinion leaders among the students who
are trusted by the masses. These include Class Reps, outgoing student leaders
and alumni. These people have clout and ...you guessed right: Money! They will
foot your campaign bills and offer valuable connections you never imagined.
Tap the flock
of the Church. Most folks profess salvation and there is a good catch at the
Christian Union and PCEA. Convince them to turn out and cast a ballot for you.
It never hurt any pagan or atheist to throw a bottle at. Isn’t it a party galore anyway? Provided you
don’t buy beer on Thursday or on Friday (polling day), you are assured of
sobriety of judgement.
On the
day of debates take your time. Don’t hurry. Forge a memorable presence. Be
audible, articulate and authoritative. Do not shake or sweat. Have unbowed
confidence. Seize the moment to tell your story the best way you know how. Be simple and clear. In journalism we say
stories which are hard to tell they are also hard to sell.
If you
win thank your campaign team and comrades profusely. If you lose fairly, concede
defeat immediately and spare us the tension of appeals and recounts. Civility
must prevail against hooliganism. Make a wrong move and you will rue the day
you decided to crucify your life in high staked politics. In all you do I wish you success. Have a convincing election week ahead.
The writer studies Bachelors of
Arts Degree in Communication and Media at Chuka University. He blogs at
musyokangui.blogspot.com
Email your thoughts to
musyokangui02@gmail.com
