I have always been interested in politics. I like following up on International politics, regional, national, ad local elections. The interest and enthusiasm that I had in general politics pushed me into getting into the college politics. I got nominated like any other interested candidate interested in the position of the president of the Hong Kong Student Association. I carried out my campaigns successfully. I made posters of my portrait and name so as to familiarize myself with my fellow students; who are the voters. Additionally, I made manifesto that showed all the good things that I would do if I get elected as the president of the Hong Kong Student Association. For one to have a successful election, they need to get known by the voters. I decided to get busy so that I can be well known and recognized by all students. I started getting involved in charity and volunteering activities that my fellow students were doing. I organized several clean up in the school to demonstrate how I will work with all people to ensure that cleanliness is not an issue anymore. I also looked for ideas that would attract more followers to my side. People need to elect someone who is well conversant with what he or she wants to do. According to the International Current Awareness Services (2000), a potential leader should possess accurate knowledge of the problems facing the student. If such a person had recently served in office, he or she should consider the past office weaknesses, and capitalize on them.
Secondly, I believe in learning from other people. I tried to get in touch with the outgoing president of the Hong Kong students association to have a dialogue with him. Since it was my first time in office, I needed to get an overview of the scope of leadership in this position. I needed to know the challenges one faces when serving as the president of a club. I needed to have a clear understanding on what is required of me during the campaigns, as well as, after the campaigns. I also got in touch with other outgoing officials (Leung, 47). Some of them were willing to share with me their experience as leaders and their secret to success, while other; who most likely were supporters of my opponents did not want to share with me anything.
The Hong Kong Student Association elections are not different from the other politics. In fact the go hand in hand, and follow the same structure (Ma.Ngok, 28). The student elections are closely connected to politics in that, some aspirants have such connections either by virtue of office, campaign donations or rather personal relationships to various politicians. With such connections, these students may have an upper hand in winning the elections due to the support they receive from the politicians as a result of such connections.
The candidates who are vying are identified, and then the nominations take place. Just like the other politics, campaigning is then the second phase. Posters can be used to start off the campaigns. These posters should be vibrant, as well as, brightly coloured (Leung, 37). The posters should be strategically positioned, in conspicuous places. Social media can also be used in campaigning. One may come up with an event or a campaign page. Pictures and posters should be posted at regular intervals on the campaign page. Face book and twitter accounts can also be used in campaign promotion. In case of an event, the turn up can be used as an indicator for a candidate’s popularity. One should continue campaigning; while ensuring that he or she is not annoying the voters.
Freebies should then be given away with reasons. This should not be in excessive amount, for one not to be viewed as a vote panderer (Leung, 56). Other competitors may not possess the money or time to make such arrangements, thereby having a relative competitive advantage over you. When it comes to speeches, they should be prepared and delivered when given a chance. The running mate should also support this whereby; he or she will be given a chance to speak. The candidate’s ideas and those of the running mate should not be the same. The running mate should be the first person to speak for the candidate to get the last words.
Election then follows. The candidate should adequately prepare for elections by ensuring that the voter turnout meets his or her expectations (Leung, 21). The voting procedures should be well understood by other students and the candidate himself or herself. Waiting for the election results is then the last stage that is usually full of anxiety. This may take some time since the results can only be announced after the tallying is complete.
I learnt a lot from the elections. The experience I went through and from the experience of the other opponents who were vying against me, enabled me to learn more that I imagined. I learned the importance of associating with people, learning what their desire is and trying to give them what they want (Ma. Ngok, 23). In order to be a leader, I learned that one has to be close with people he has to work with people so they can get to know them better. Working with people also gives the leader a chance to interact with the people he will be serving, and in turn, it gives the people a chance to know their leader better. I also learned that leadership does not come easy. One has to be tough, and prepare adequately in advance. Also, an aspirant should never count his or her chicks before they are hatched, meaning one should not celebrate until victory is upon him or her.
Civic engagement is important in elections. This may take the form of civic education and voter education whereby; voters are provide with necessary information that enlightens them of their rights, and the type of prevailing political system (Leung, 41). Voter education will also teach voters how as well as, where to cast their votes. A successful election that is democratic is whereby voters are informed of their rights, along with their responsibilities. They must also be knowledgeable on how to cast their valid ballots.
Civic education on the other hand, focuses on the knowledge on political system along with its context. This may include information on various aspects such as the government system, the nature, along with the powers of the aspirants and the prevailing political, social as well as, economic issues (Kang, 14). An effective civic engagement is one that combines civic education and voter education. This will assist in putting the context of the election for voters, along with giving the purpose for election. Therefore it is advisable that civic education be linked in the process of elections.
Works Cited
Liu, Kang. Globalization and Cultural Trends in China. Honolulu: Univ. of Hawai'i Press, 2004. Print.
Leung, Sai-wing. The Making of an Alienated Generation: The Political Socialization of Secondary School Students in Transitional Hong Kong. Aldershot [u.a.: Ashgate, 1997. Print.
Ma, Ngok. Political Development in Hong Kong: State, Political Society, and Civil Society. Hong Kong [u.a.: Hong Kong Univ. Press [u.a., 2007. Print.
International Current Awareness Services. London: Routledge, 2000. Print.
