By Ben Mugambi
SIX CLEVER WAYS OF WINNING A CAMPUS ELECTION
A political showdown is looming among aspirants jostling for various seats in the universities' elections expected in a few days.We are set to witness a contentious political battle where rejects from last year elections will make a comeback. Political novices who have never held any post before and with no clue of what politics entails will also be joining the race in a bid to persuade comrades to vote for them promising a host of good prospects in future
During this moment learning is usually paralyzed and universities are converted to political dens. Posters being stumped up everywhere, noisy caravans moving around the campus vicinity and generally intense vote-lobbying on a high gear.
Elections aftermath are even worse. Aggrieved students result to go on a rampage and engage in all kind of atrocious activities when they feel that the best candidate of their choice was foul played.
Winning a campus election is not an easy ride. It requires a smart blueprint, time and financial input altogether. Without these three key factors at hand, your course as a candidate will be as bad as chasing a wild goose. Do these six things however and you will ascend to the highest throne of student leadership in existence in your campus.
1. Be a demagogic speaker
Many renowned leaders in the world who have risen to the highest hierarchy in their land have done so not because they have a solid transformative agenda that stir their countries into a Social-economic and political hub but because during their campaign they mastered the art of arousing emotions of their electorate. Drawing the same analogy to your case a student vying to be elected should be a rabble-rouser to the basic feelings of students. And this is usually very simple.
Identify an issue that has been a bone of contention for a long time and use it as your major campaign tool. It could be the issue of school fees. In your rallies attack the administration for hiking school fees without consulting major stakeholders who are the students. They say that if you are small and obscure like David look for a Goliath to fight with. Accuse the VC of running the university on a one-man show and lay out plans on how you intend to tame him if elected in office. Such acts will make you look courageous and this comes along with gaining political mileage.
Speak vehemently on how you will get rid of all the oppressing bureaucracies meted on comrades. By so doing comrades will start having this perception that you are a kind of a Messiah sent to liberate them from a bondage of a rogue campus admin. They will be assured of a new dawn.
Note this: There is nothing as charismatic as speaking with the passion that seems to come from the heart especially if it comes from a deep-rooted feeling of oppression.Comrades will worship you the same way the black Americans revered Martin Luther King Jr.
2. Lure students with goodies
The surest way to earn yourself a legion of followers and garner a landslide victory is to satiate the physical needs of your supporters. Given that most students largely rely on meagre pocket money sent to them by their parents, your cash will come to them as a greater advantage. Make surprise appearances where students gather in large groups and spoil them with 50 bob notes.
It applies even in a national election when money precedes a politician he automatically win the victory before declaring the war. When you lavish commoners with cash you win them to your side without having to explain yourself too much to them. Politicians with strong unwillingness to spend money don't win elections. They lose shamefully and in vain. So lay out a sustainable budget plan that will cater for this before embarking on your campaign trail.
3. Court Attention at all cost
This does not mean that you embroil yourself in controversy. Controversy will do you nothing but dent your public image and undermine your credibility as a future leader.
Pulling a publicity stunt is the best way to draw the attention of a crowd. Positive publicity stunt in this case. Since you are so desperate to win then desperate measures have to be put in place.
You can always put up a stage-managed show. For example, hire the best rumour mongers usually girls who will come up with false stories about how you once helped a comrade settle a huge outstanding school fees arrears. When such tales spread your popularity skyrocket in return. Eventually, this will amount to votes.
4. Have a strong campaign team
This is where you surround yourself with yes-men, political cronies and die-hard sycophants ready to do just anything to ensure you win.This include even missing classes the whole semester.Then assign members of your team roles and duties to ensure swift process.Those who will be making door to door campaigns selling your manifesto, those who will be going around campus perching posters displaying your pictures on billboards.
You also require an IT wizard who will manage your online campaign on various social media platforms: Facebook, Twitter, name them. Maybe a hype-man to hail your name in your road-show campaign or perhaps a campus hooligan ready to hurl insults at anyone opposing your candidature. Basically have a strong team that will solidify your support base, leave no stone unturned, take nothing to chance and you can guarantee yourself a sweet victory.
5. Give Hopeful promises
It is very easy to deceive people who are desperate for change. So spew all sorts of enticing promises you can think of. Promise them to build rivers where you know there are no rivers. Promise them Canaan, a land of milk and honey. Just make sure that these promises are feasible. Avoid exaggeration. Of course, you know it in your conscience that the VC will hear none of it but because your goal is to win just lie. Once you are in office you can always invent other promises to substitute the former ones. Like they say worry not about tomorrow for tomorrow will take care of itself
6. Play Dirty
Never even imagine for a second that your rivals wish you well. They will scheme day and night to frustrate your political ambitions. Political players are known to be envious of each other. Your rivals will stab you on your back but smile on your face. They will wear a sheep clothing but underneath they possess the heart of a bear. They will assure you of a level playfield but only to dig portholes and mount hurdles to curtail your moves. In politics, there is nothing like healthy competition so keep an eye on your rivals.
Politics is a dirty game so they say, so you also have to play dirty. If you know that your rival has a questionable character use it as your campaign platform to defame him. Discover your rival's source of funding and if it is something you can tamper with sabotage it to weaken his political muscles.
Reader's Note
Serving in any political seat is a 'poison chalice'
I'd rather be a typical "mwananchi 'than risk my life to the wrath of the citizenry due to unfulfilled pledges.
