Prefect, House EXCO, and CCAL elections are ongoing. How should we cast our votes?
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Casting a vote is easier said than done; submitting the All-Ears form may just take a simple press of a button, but the thought process behind it is much more complex. “Is this candidate suitable?”, “Is he a good leader?”, and “He’s my friend—should I pick him?” are just a few out of the myriad questions that you may have before casting your vote.
So, how can we make our vote an informed one?
Reflect
Before the elections, you should start observing the candidates. Pay attention to the following points:
- What Does Your CCA Need?
Before you listen to the candidates’ speeches, your first priority should be to decide what you think your CCA needs the most. Perhaps you would like to see a CCA that has more fun activities instead of dry and monotonous sessions? Maybe a CCA with closer bonds between members is something that you feel is strongly required?
Similarly, for the RIPB elections, you should consider the needs of the school. What do you think the school urgently needs? What are some PB initiatives you would like to see more of?
Your vision for your CCA — and for the PB elections, the school — should be the main principle you follow when casting your vote.
- Do The Candidates Display Leadership Qualities?
Additionally, observe the behaviour of the candidates. A student leader does not display leadership qualities only after receiving the position; instead, he acts as a model for those around him at all times.
For the PB elections, observe the candidates as they go about school. Do they obey the rules and encourage their peers to stand up for what is right? Do they actively discuss ways in which the school can improve? A good prefect candidate displays a keen interest in the school’s daily affairs.
Similarly, do the potential CCALs take the initiative to step up and lead? Do they actively guide their juniors and show them the ropes, or do they ignore the weaker members and only focus on those who already know what they are doing and stand out? You may also want to consider if they’ve already led an initiative before. Was it run smoothly? If there were any hiccups, were they resolved, and if so, how? A good CCAL cares for his team and ensures that the CCA progresses not through individual effort alone, but together as a united team.
Leadership qualities are honed, not gifted. A good leader will display his skills even before he is elected, making such a candidate deserving of your vote.
Listen and Learn
To persuade you to support them, the candidates will give speeches to rally their supporters. Candidates for a seat in the RIPB will give speeches in the canteen, while CCAL nominees will present their promises to their respective CCAs. As you listen to their speeches, observe the following points:
- How do they carry themselves?
One key trait of a good leader is the image that he projects. Pay attention to the candidates’ manner of speech. Do they speak with conviction, with each word articulated crisply and clearly? Or do they mumble to themselves, unsure of their vision and coming across as unconfident and hesitant?
A good leader knows what he is doing and communicates his vision clearly to those he leads. His campaign speech is a platform to demonstrate this ability—or in some cases, the lack of it.
- What do they promise?
As the candidates speak, jot down some of their key promises. What are some key issues that they have flagged? How do they intend to resolve them?
Note their proposed solutions and initiatives, while choosing the most striking and relevant points.
Analyse and Synthesise
Having taken the time to reflect and listen, it is time to make sense of all the information that you have gathered.
Firstly, compare the solutions proposed by the candidates and the vision that you had in mind at the very start. Which initiatives align most closely with your vision? Which best fulfil your needs? These two questions will help to narrow down your selection of candidates.
Then, reflect on the observations of the candidates that you made earlier. Speeches can be awe-inspiring, but actions speak louder than words. Do the candidates behave in a way that reflects their promises? It is most prudent to consider whether the candidates truly deserve their seats based on their everyday actions, or if they are merely making empty promises. This should help you narrow your choices down to just two or three, enough to fill in your polling card.
Lastly, cast your vote confidently. It is easy to be swayed by the opinions of the masses. While peer support is important, popularity alone should not be your deciding factor. Instead, stay committed to the process you have followed from the beginning.
Conclusion
In summary, your vote is ultimately yours. While an individual ballot may seem small, collectively, every vote counts. With each checkbox ticked, you are not just hoping for a better age—you are helping to create it.
