THE PEOPLE ARE NOT STUPID

Nov 10, 2011 Features / Columnists, Peeping Tom

One thousand laptops distributed in one day. How many votes do these translate to. By the time November 28 arrives at the minimum about ten thousand laptops are going to be shared out to the needy.
The One Laptop Per Family Project was never intended as an election project, but its timing obviously was done with this year’s election in mind and as such the ruling party and government is hoping that the massive distribution of computers that is about to take place will win it votes.
Each year the government gives public servants an increase in salaries. These increases normally average around five per cent per year. Last year the sugar workers got nothing because they were told that the industry was in poor shape. Miraculously, it would seem as if the industry has been restored to health because the sugar workers were earlier this year paid a five per cent increase and they will get an additional three per cent, as will teachers.
Public servants will also enjoy an overall eight percent increase for this year. The monies are likely to be paid out before November 28, the date for the elections. How many votes will this increase win for the ruling party?
A multimillion dollar cinema complex is to be built in the city by private developers but even before copyright laws are passed, there is a sod-turning ceremony, attended by government officials. How many votes will this proposed investment secure for the ruling party?
The opposition political parties are contending that the government is bribing the electorate with these salary increases and the distribution of laptops.
The ruling party holds a meeting in Lethem and there is an instantaneous distribution of house lots. There are accusations flying around that the distribution was taking place from a building operated by the ruling party. Will this flood distribution lead to the PPPC winning more votes in the Lethem area.
The AFC calls the salary payout a bribery. Well if it is a bribery then the people are shortchanged since they have barely got this time a few percentage points more than the average and since the inflation rate is projected to be higher this year, the eight per cent in real terms will probably translate to a four per cent.
These measures and the many others that will be unveiled as the days get closer to election day are not attempts to bribe the population. They are the benefits of incumbency.
All ruling parties enjoy this benefit, and the smart parties are the ones who know how to time a rush of development and handouts to coincide with elections.
This is not an unfair tactic because the opposition parties also have an advantage that cancels out the benefit of incumbency. They are not the ones in office; they are free to criticize and malign the opposition. Their record is not under scrutiny. They can also promise the world. This is the advantage of being in the opposition.
In the end, the people have to decide and the people are not stupid. The people understand clearly that there are persons out there who want to win their votes.
The people will also play these individuals. They will ask for things at this time knowing that they can threaten to withdraw their votes if these wishes are not met. This is why along the east Coast there is a sign put up by residents saying if they do get a certain service they will not vote. They know when to bargain and when to bargain strong.
The people will ultimately decide who to vote for. They will weigh the gifts they get against the long term benefits that they have secured. They will decide whether to go for those that promise much as against those who as them to have faith in them.
The people are not fooled. But if they can get a benefit such as computer, a fat back pay for Christmas or some relief, they will take it. But in the end, when the people go into that ballot box, they make their choice one way or the other.

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