Dr Vincent Huang
MIRI: The proposed ban on the “party atmosphere” created by hundreds of supporters showing up on nomination day reveals the need for new ways to attract and engage voters who are more matured.
Some of the traditional ways of engaging the people are no longer effective, many a time bogged down in long ruling administration set in its ways.
“The practice of bringing along a big group of supporters on Nomination Day is no longer an effective method in delivering desired results to the candidate,” said retired educationist Dr Vincent Huang.
The Election Commission (EC) chairman Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof was reported by a national newspaper recently as saying that only 10 supporters and representatives should be allowed on Nomination Day at nomination centres.
Huang said that this tactic used to work in the past as a large crowd of supporters indicated the popularity of a candidate and was able to influence the decision of undecided voters during an election.
“Today’s urban voters are more discerning and educated so they can make up their mind independently; even rural voters are beginning to recognise the changing scenario,” said Huang who is also a member of the Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) and founder chairman of Miri Readers Association formed by SUPP members.
The modern electorate is increasingly well educated, better exposed to the Internet and have learnt from past experiences, said Huang.
He classified “supporters” who showed up during nomination day into three categories: “passionate” supporters who are genuinely interested in the candidate, “obliging” folks who joined on the behest of colleagues and “opportunistic” people who came only for the benefits provided by organisers.
He explained that there would always be a core group of loyal party supporters though the majority are just there to make up the numbers and could not be relied upon to make an impact.
Instead, he stressed the need to reach out to the grassroots and touch their hearts – ordinary people who formed the bulk of associations and the electorate, and who do not always follow recommendations or suggestions by leaders on whom to support in an election.