The battle lines are drawn and political parties are discussing strategies as the countdown to the 2022 General Election slowly shifts into gear.
There is political manoeuvring taking place and it is pretty difficult to shrug aside the importance of the undecided voter in the greater scheme of things.
That is going to definitely attract some attention. It’s one of the bases for political parties gearing up for the elections.
Attention will focus on strategies, and most importantly, the critical messages that must be effective over the next few weeks.
As we highlighted above, the battle lines are drawn. At this time back in 2018, a party was already suggesting that the election would come down to becoming a “three-horse race”.
Another party was suggesting the signs were suggesting the undecided voter block would be on a high plane.
The dynamics have obviously changed since 2018. The challenge for the parties now is to understand the masses, get a feel of the pulse of the nation, and make the right calls. Remember we have had a pandemic to deal with.
They will have to ask themselves what they can offer the voter, especially the undecided voter, and push this across clearly.
It actually sets up a very interesting scenario. We should expect an intense campaign period leading up to the elections.
There will naturally be differences in the way we do things, right up to the values we espouse. What will bring joy to one may not necessarily be so for another.
What may be considered the right thing to do by one may not be so for some. But that is why the elections process is a special event.
It allows you the voter to express yourself albeit in a process that is designed to ensure you alone know the number you selected on the ballot paper. We make no bones about our commitment to aid the process that will culminate in you the voter fulfilling your duty for the nation.
That will mean talking to the various parties, highlighting their positions on policy issues, their manifestos, and what they offer, to profiling candidates.
The challenge though for the voter is to understand the messages coming out of the party camps, ask relevant questions and be comfortable with explanations and to consider the position of parties on issues of importance that they can relate to.
It is clear what some political parties are now focusing on.
For whatever it is worth though, strategies are designed, according to the parties, to place them in a healthy position in the face of the voters who will decide who gets to parliament!
Again, we reiterate the need for voters to realise they have the power to vote the government they want into power.
They have the power to make an impact on the final make-up of our parliament.
Now that the processes are in place leading up to the election, Fijians must place value on being part of it, and to make their vote count. Interesting days are coming!
