Campaign Realities

Those who were conscious enough to register for elections this year must by now have a clear idea of where their vote would go come Monday 30 September 2013 when polls for the Municipal and Legislative elections open.

Both voters and politicians have had two weeks of campaign during which leaders of the 43 political parties running for seats in Parliament and councils explained their political manifestoes to the entire country either through the media, political rallies or door-to-door campaigns as the political parties decided on the best means to reach out to the voters. Even if it is once in every electoral period, the masses have had the chance to feel how important they are to certain personalities that they often watch only on television.

Several political and business gurus have been seen criss-crossing the length and breadth of the country, hoping to make their party propaganda understood by would-be voters. Some of the VIPs have even had the occasion to better witness the daily realities of their villages, subdivisions and divisions. Bad roads, pushing cars in the mud, driving past mud huts that go for primary and secondary schools, poorly constructed hospitals and others. Although the hysteric dancing, profuse drinking and eating that have characterised some rallies during the two weeks of campaign often made the population to momentarily forget their difficult living conditions, the reality is that they must have also gone away with a few promises from the politicians which could make their livelihoods better if put into practice.

Yet, the uphill task that most voters definitely hard listening to politicians is how to oblige them to keep their electoral promises once voted into office. Of course, it is not new saying that most politicians hardly mean what they say during election campaigns. This certainly explains why voters need to go beyond listening to campaign messages and make value judgments so as to discern and make a difference between those who speak only to get votes and disappear into luxurious offices only to re-emerge during the next elections and those who mean what they promise.

Although the element of deceit may not be entirely ruled out of campaign promises, it would appear that the misgivings were not one-sided. While the politicians might have in some cases made 'suitcases promises' that will never be fulfilled, it is not obvious that all those who attended rallies as party supporters will keep to their word on Election Day. There are some who must have attended political rallies out of curiosity or just because of the circumstantial benefits that came with the meetings. Such a category of people need to be forgotten almost immediately.

But those armed with their voter's card and who will go out on Monday to cast their vote, do matter to political parties and candidates for the legislative and local council polls. They are the ones whose presence at campaign rallies mattered and whether if their choice will be guided by the campaign messages or not, they have a major role to play in history because such choices will shape events in Cameroon in the next five years. With two more days to go to the end of the campaigns, the last undecided voters may be of great interest and draw the attention of candidates before voting day.