THERE are various gimmicks that politicians do resort today for their quest to have more voters until the election day. The more attractive the style, the better. Its just like the more viewers for advertisements, the more chances the product would sell.
With the still prevailing pandemic, the movement of politicians and their supporters is somehow affected. Because of the big crowd, they still have to practice some precautionary measures especially physical distancing. The virus is starting to become a thing of the past now, however it still does exist. Thus, the old style of overcrowding gymnasiums, covered courts and other meeting venues has become a passe for now.
Tarpaulins and other poster materials are still there. Prior to the official campaign period, many were already posted minus the word "vote" to avoid being a violator for premature campaigning. The more attractive the posters, the better. The bigger, the more chances the Commission on Elections shall remove it, however.
Motorcades are still popular, making visits to various towns and cities while making loud the campaign jingles they play. Other motorists on the other hand are irked by the traffic snarls they create. Imagine being stuck in between two showboats and being able to memorize the lines of campaign jingles.
Flyers and pamphlets are more popular during election day rather than during the campaign. Politicians make last ditch efforts to gather more votes before electorates write their choices in polling booths. These are the unavoidable last minute campaign acts. These are usually the materials made of newsprint type of papers.
Among these, the most popular gimmick these days is through the social media. Going on livestreaming broadcast while candidates say their speeches or while they visit places is in. Facebook, twitter, tiktok and others are the most handy and most accessible broadcast platform used now by politicians. The broadcasts although shown live, may be posted and re-posted for the public to watch. It’s popular and cheaper.
Aside from television and radio broadcasted campaigns, the social media has great influence to the evolution of campaigning. It’s more effective and can be easily accessed by netizens who have their mobile phones in their hands. Even politicians' ways of wooing voters have changed.
In a few days from now, the official campaign period for local candidates shall kick-off. We expect that tarpaulins and other poster materials shall be more ubiquitous. More showboats shall be plying our streets and more activities shall be graced by politicians.
If the national election campaign is festive, the local campaign is more pompous. Local politicians shall be more visible and every occasion or activity in their towns including simple birthday celebrations among others. This is the most opportune time for them to be more popular and known.
Since campaigning in the local scene is more intimate and localized, politicians have more time to mingle with people. This makes the campaign more expensive since aspirants cannot avoid their prospective voters from asking some finances, things or favors.
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