Posted by Chester Morton / Wednesday, 8 March 2017 / No comments
The factors that determine the electoral success of a political party
THE FACTORS THAT DETERMINE THE ELECTORAL SUCCESS OF A POLITICAL PARTY
Introduction
Introduction
General elections are organized for the purposes of putting a
government in place to run the affairs of a country for a stipulated period of
time. In every election, only one political party can emerge as the winner and
that is why it is fought with all the energy that can be harnessed.
The electoral fortunes of a political party are hinged on
certain factors. In the absence of majority of these factors, the chances of
winning an election, for a political party, is slim.
THE FACTORS THAT
DETERMINE THE ELECTORAL SUCCESS OF A POLITICAL PARTY
Attractive manifesto
One of the factors that can enhance the chances of a
political party to win an election is a good manifesto. The manifesto outlines
the plans and programmes of the party. The programmes that it intends to
implement when it is voted into power. If the electorates think this manifesto
is better than other manifestoes that are being paraded, it can influence the
direction of their vote.
Membership of the party
Another factor that can promote the chances of a political
party to win an election is the membership base of the party. Politics is a
game of numbers. The more members a party has the better its chances in an
election. Where the membership of the party is broad-based, it can boost the
chances of the party in winning an election.
Financial resources
Elections are very expensive. One of the factors that can
help a political party to win an election is to have a very strong financial
base. This would assist the party to foot many of the bills that are associated
with its participation in an electoral campaign, running advertisements,
printing posters and T-shirts, organizing political rallies and many others.
The persona of the party’s candidates
Another factor that can promote the fortunes of a political party
is the personal attribute of the candidates of the parties involved in the
election. A party candidate with a lot of cobwebs in his or her cupboard would
not engender a positive vibe for the electorates to vote for his or her party. A
charismatic party candidate can positively influence the political fortunes of
a party during an election.
A transparent electoral process
Transparency is important in an election. The electoral
system must be so transparent as to promote fairness. This can prevent an
incumbent from manipulating the electoral process to win an election when in
actual fact that is not the will of the people.
An effective research outfit
The political party must put in place an effective research
outfit that can counter any negative propaganda from their opponents. In
addition, the party itself must have an effective propaganda machinery to be
able to push its message into the body politic, not only to inform but
sometimes to misinform in a way that would inure to the benefits of the party.
SAMPLE QUESTIONS
1. Outline six factors that can determine the electoral
success of a political party.
