How to win campus elections

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