As the over one billion dollar campaign for the most powerful position in the world heats up in the United States (US) so does the perennial debate on how far will and should candidates go to compete. With the unprecedented situation of an African-American and a woman holding the top positions for the Democratic ticket, troubling developments of “playing the race card” and questionable attacks on character demonstrate the worrying state of debate around the world when it comes to seeking political office.

The uproar on both sides after pictures of Senator Barack Obama from Illinois dressed in Somali garb on a trip two years ago to northeastern Kenya were allegedly circulated by competitor Senator Hillary Clinton from New York signals that, in high stakes competitions, anything goes. But below the surface, the turn of events shows that policy issues sometimes take the back seat to the jockeying on personal attributes.

While campaigns within rich nations take centre stage of international attention, the reality that the situation here is little different is becoming apparent as demonstrated by messages from the candidates for next month’s local elections. At the onset, those vying for kebele and woreda positions display a knack for emotional and personal appeals rather than the rationalised platform elaborations that voters need to make educated choices at the polls.

Although it is unrealistic to expect campaigns devoted solely to technocratic issues to suddenly emerge, politicians should be wary of the effects of words, especially considering the weight of the first elections since the notorious and still in the front of most people’s minds May 2005 elections, as well as the tragedy still unfolding to the south in Kenya. All participants have an obligation to this nation to make a concerted effort to keep efforts on the trying road to office focused on policy platforms that give voters a picture of the value of their ballot and not on attacking the system of elections, though they may not be flawless.

GETTING PAST ELECTION PROBLEMS

Elections anywhere cannot be perfect. In contests that are ultimately regulated by humans with personal interests and limited capacities mistakes will occur. This is especially the case within Ethiopia where institutions are relatively young and have run into such divisive controversy in recent past.

Bodies such as the National Election Board (NEB) are hampered by budgets questionably insufficient to tackle every grievance raised and lack of experience to deal with procedures in a completely impartial manner. Of course, this admission of, in some cases understandable, shortcomings will unfortunately probably never come from a regime that is struggling to raise trust in institutions whose images have been so badly damaged.

The at times desperate struggle carried out in the dismal state media that provides the only access to public information to a large segment of the population to buoy confidence in election processes probably is not executing the necessary task of honestly addressing real concerns people have. Paying heed to the numbers of voters registered or the success in individual areas signal more of the same strategy to divert attention from more in depth issues that are on people’s minds to the intangible aspects of an election that should provide an outlet for people to exercise their democratic rights. However, the current surface level reporting does not seem to recognise the open strategies to achieve this fervour.

Grievances against the perpetual capacity-lacking institutions and obviously motive-laden government media aside, candidates are still failing to provide responsible campaigning. Given the level of debate witnessed thus far it is a wonder how voters will make choices based on concrete policies.

The opposition appeals have not concentrated on outlines of where a candidate would take the desired office, but rather on difficulties on mounting a successful run in the face of alleged questionable actions of officials preventing a fair election. Incumbents have likewise stooped down to defence against complaints and provided little view to proposals for economic strategies or reform packages.

There may of course be relevancy to some campaigners’ allegations of irregularities but with the state of election monitoring and lack of responsible media and possibly fear to dig down to the core of the issues, concrete evidence is difficult to come by. Denials of international monitors that would help to get to the bottom of such claims and a long-standing lack of reliable information across many issues do not help matters.

However, it should be incumbent on opposition leaders and ruling party members alike to rise above these issues and build followings based on creative idea constructions. If these procedural problems exist, and as lack of public confidence in institutions and ongoing efforts to tackle deep-rooted corruption demonstrate that in many areas fixes are needed, candidates should be presenting the revolutionary thinking to change the situation they see as troubling.

The back-and-forth blame game witnessed a few weeks ago involving Bulcha Demksa’ Oromo National Democratic Movement (ONDM) party is a prime example of bickering over election troubles rather than mounting a platform-based campaign. While party members and EPRDF officials traded respective blame and denial blows over an ONDM member allegedly unfairly arrested, the public is left to wonder what candidates have to offer.

What the complaints coming from a variety of candidates reveal, among other things, is that the political space is ripe for fresh ideas. Providing sustainable and feasible solutions for the problems ranging from unaccountable institutions to the raging inflation on the minds of so many is what the public sphere and population desperately needs.

The spectrum for novel platforms is wide open. With a ruling party that has governed over a period of unprecedented economic growth – though has relied on an overly centralised market regime - but that has come under fire for its modes of governance, alternatives easily present themselves. A party to come out and advocate comprehensive strategies for easing inflationary pressure or to elaborate on schemes to reform individual local offices to make them efficient and responsive bodies far from the headaches that they currently represent would represent a refreshing break from the recurrent bickering that lacks inspiration.

TROUBLING CONSEQUENCES LOOM

The stakes for individual candidates or parties to change the course of rhetoric to one that concentrates on policy issues goes far beyond the local offices they seek. These upcoming elections are also a test to gauge what has changed since May 2005.

It remains to be seen if voters are actively seeking to participate in a democratic exercise that they see as vital to the state’s operations. If the population remains disaffected and apathetic, everyone loses. But if the tensions and tragedies reminiscent of almost three years ago reappear, the result will be devastating.

Kenya’s example provides a stark reminder of the potential for disastrous results if political processes are not the sober reflection of leaders’ policy choices. Opposition members here and next door probably have room for grumbling of structural problems.

However, with parties that challenge the status quo in disarray, for reasons that fall both on their and the current regime’s shoulders, simply complaining of inability to compete may seem as more whining over inadequacies than pleas that hit home to constituencies. Showing strength in the face adversity is more effective.

It is now crucial for all sides of this campaign to focus on principles so that April is a step forward rather than backwards.