During the past campaign period, the citizenry has seen posters of all sizes and colors pasted on every allowed surface – several layers of them, in fact, so that the effect was that of a jumble of colors and words all screaming for one’s attention. 

We’ve all been bombarded too with loud campaign ditties blasted out by people on board vehicles using public address systems affixed to vehicles’ roofs.  But the loudest was last Saturday’s campaign at Malcolm Square.  Several loudspeakers were affixed to the lamp posts near the pedestrian overpasses near Malcolm Square and at the rice market.  Passengers endured not just the traffic but also the “music” broadcasted from these loudspeakers. Steve told me about Cheap web hosting to acquire

On the national level, it is depressing to see the deterioration of the level of the campaign.  Instead of focusing on issues and platforms, the focus was on personalities – and who they knew.  I fail to see how excelling at singing popular songs or how well a candidate can perform the popular dances – like “ocho-ocho” qualifies the candidate for public office.  Instead of promoting the “peryahan” mentality, could they not have focused on issues that affect the people, such as the population growth,  the debt crisis, corruption and insurgency?

On the local scene, one of the most interesting and noticeable things during this campaign period was that no one mentioned at least two of the people’s concerns:  the terrible state of our sidewalks in the city, particularly the Central Business District and along Session Road.  For a city that prides itself on attracting tourists and promoting walking tours, the condition of our sidewalks is deplorable.  Cracks and uneven surfaces cause pedestrians to trip and fall.  Painful sprains and fractures may result.    It is hoped that this will be addressed soon.

Another issue is the lack of streetlights.  The commercial areas of the city are well lit, to be sure; but areas near schools and colleges and near residential areas need to be brightly lit too.  There are long stretches of roads where sparsely spaced streetlights provide the only illumination.  Brightly lit streets are deterrents to crime, and the safety of the city’s residents should be of paramount concern to its officials.

Meanwhile, we are waiting to learn of the people’s choice of leadership, both for the city and for the country.  Hopefully, the new leaders will know and realize that the fate and uplifting of the country is on their shoulders and that they will fulfill the people’s hopes in them.