Opinion: Can you rely on political campaigns to make the right choice on Election Day?

As we approach the pivotal moment of Election Day, May 29, the atmosphere is changing with anticipation and uncertainty.

But what has caught my eye is the noticeable decline in the intensity of campaigning.

In the past, you would see parties intensifying their campaigning and visibility coming closer to elections.

This brings the question: why the sudden shift?

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Is it due to financial constraints, or are parties strategically evaluating their approach?

Also, is the campaigning effective? With all these questions I wonder what pushes voters to go to the voting station to make their mark.

Is it the campaigning strategy of door-to-door visits that comes with photo opts for PR purposes?

Are all these gimmicks worth every penny the parties pay?

But with the lack of visibility from some parties could it be that they are tightening their belts, opting for more conservative spending strategies?

Or perhaps, in an era of heightened public scrutiny and digital interconnectedness, traditional campaign tactics have given way to more targeted, cost-effective methods of engagement?

One should think about what the purpose of campaigning is – to feed voters the party’s ideas.

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In an ideal democracy, one might argue that a party and candidate’s merit and track record should speak for itself, rather than the need for extravagant campaigning gimmicks.

After all, shouldn’t a politician’s deeds and accomplishments be the true measure of their worth, rather than the promises they make during the campaigning?

I now ask the voters, how are they going to make their decision with the decline in campaigning? Are voters doing their homework to check parties and even candidates’ track records as part of their own research?

Their commitment to serving their constituents demonstrated through tangible results and meaningful impact carries far more weight than a campaign gimmick.

Questioning again the effectiveness of campaigning, as it comes with the promises and pledges, serves as a critical battleground for capturing voter attention and swaying public opinion.

Yet, when Election Day fades into memory and the dust settles and seats are secured, parties forget all about the promises made during campaigning season.

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Then, one is left to ponder the true value of campaigning. Is it a necessary evil, or just a cruel play on voters’

feelings to take them to the promised land only to leave them high and dry under new leadership but still carrying the same ideas that do not deliver on any of the promises?

As we navigate the complexities of electoral politics, perhaps the answer lies not in the extravagance of campaign budgets, but in the authenticity of candidates and the enduring power of track records. We need to look beyond the campaign costs and question the party’s value.

I for one will return to my own list of outstanding promises, never delivered by these politicians. I for one will cast my vote based on on actual performance by these politicians.