Campaigning in Covid

THERE were more than 50 elections globally in 2020. Some of the most watched were the Taiwan presidential election, India’s assembly elections, South Korea’s legislative elections, Singapore general elections, Myanmar general elections, New Zealand general election and that of the US. Political technocrats, strategists and campaigners are pouring into the literature and the actual models of campaigning done in these countries, especially those which had to campaign with Covid-19. The campaigns were not face-to-face, and it was not the traditional practice of huge rallies and electrifying crowds. No moving speeches; instead, it was a subdued, personal setting defining engagement. Politics in the attention economy, after all, is about engagement.

Jurisdictions have defined what are permissible and non-permissible activities on the ground, and this is because of the health protocols that need to be strictly followed. Non-permissible are “convening/attending meetings in public places; convening/attending meetings in private residences; door-knocking and meeting the public, attending community events.” Permissible activities are “letterbox drops; handing out leaflets; billboards/posters; social media; newspaper ads and radio and TV.” In the Philippines, we are awaiting what the Comelec will formulate and the policy on hybrid elections; or the same thing hangs with Congress and as usual, political reforms are hard to come by and are often so delayed as to ensure a smooth rollout.