JEDDAH, 12 April 2005 — With election campaign getting under way, the electorate is sitting up and taking notice that candidates’ agendas are bold in presentation and content. But the platforms revolve round similar and familiar issues and are presented to the public wherever the “public” can be found — be it the city street or the women’s campus at university.
Word of mouth is reported to be key to winning votes. Candidates have obtained endorsements of prominent businessmen, religious scholars and university professors to back them up in their campaigns.
“Candidates’ reputation is what’s going to influence my vote, nothing else,” said Amr Iraqi, a 26-year-old Saudi. He added that he had not yet picked out the candidates whom he will be voting but when he does word of mouth will be the No. 1 motivator.
Asked how he will decide who has a best reputation for the job and who doesn’t he said he would choose “the men people trust.”
He said, “the more realistic agenda is something that can catch my eye, for example if some candidate campaigned for two things only fixing our streets and solving the sewage problem, I would probably pick him.”
“The candidates’ qualifications and reputation are what motivate me,” said Ibrahim Shamsan, a businessman.
Most voters Arab News met gave similar replies. Some rely on the word of recommendation of distinguished people; others depend on close family members and friends in deciding. Word of mouth is the influencing factor in Jeddah elections.
Some candidates have put up campaign tents that can be spotted in different areas of the city while others resort to innovative tactics to promote their agendas.
“This morning the car in front of me was nearly all covered with posters and stickers, a small green Honda,” said Sari Al-Harthy, a 31-year-old Saudi employee on his way to work. “They were all pictures and slogans promoting one of the candidates. It’s the first time to see something like this here in the country. Amusing and interesting.”
A bystander told Al-Harthy that the car tours the streets from morning until noon and then later from the afternoon onward. “Undoubtedly, it’s a creative but crazy way of campaigning; it does attract attention,” said Al-Harthy.
According to Al-Eqtisadiah, a sister publication of Arab News, candidate Sami Idrees uses a novel method taking off in a bus decorated and equipped with audio-visual systems through which he explains his aims and aspirations. Idrees said he would be covering all city streets to drive home his agenda.
Pamphlets find their way to prospective voters via the folds of daily Arabic newspapers or are handed over by young men at various traffic lights.
Fahd Al-Ghamdi, a student at King Abdul Aziz University, and his cousins Ahmad and Nizar distribute pamphlets together with a bottle of water on behalf of a candidate in their neighborhood. “The water was our idea, we were instructed to only give out the pamphlets,” said Fahd. “We really want people to vote for this candidate. But I don’t want people to think that he’s bribing for votes.”
On the women’s campus of KAAU, students join in the campaigning.
Muna Ahmad and Rana Fuad distribute pamphlets for their friend Nada’s father who is a candidate. “Officially giving out pamphlets isn’t allowed,” said Nada. “But if it can be allowed out on the streets then I can’t see why not here on the campus. Sisters, daughters, mothers — all will give this to their male relatives and acquaintances. I suggested it to my father. Why not? It’s good practice for ourselves next time.”
As for the agendas, the majority of pamphlets highlight environmental, administrative, community, social and even heritage issues. The issues that are raised by most candidates include sewerage problems, rainwater drainage, improved waste disposal system, improving municipal administration, fighting corruption, economic transparency and friendlier neighborhoods with more public parks and recreational areas for youth.
The agendas also include opening channels of communication between citizens and municipal councilors. “Elections to me are all about communication,” said voter Mohammad Ali. “It’s about finding out what we need and then going out and looking for the candidate who can really do the job.”
“It’s a bit confusing,” said Amr Fadl, a university graduate. “I’ve visited three campaign locations and read their brochures and flyers. But their agendas are the same. How do I really know whom to choose?”
Prominent citizens also have started canvassing for their favorite candidates. In a sign of support, religious scholars address educational seminars at the candidate’s campaign sites. Others put in a few supportive words about the candidate on their campaign websites.
At www.voterjamjoom.com, Osama Zakaria Jamjoom presents his campaign platform along with recommendations by distinguished people from various walks of life.
Endorsements are also sent via mobile phones with candidates’ names. Al-Hayat reported that citizens had received lists of candidates endorsed by Islamic scholars. However, prospective voters and candidates question the authenticity of such messages.
“I’m fine with a popular scholar vouching and recommending a specific candidate,” said Abu Mahdi. “As long as it’s really that person who made the recommendation. Elections, campaigning and recommendation, it’s all about integrity, credibility and old-fashioned truth, isn’t it?”
