New ideas for old election routines...

Okay... a lot is going on in Sierra Leone around the elections... We all know this by now. But, very little talk has circulated about any other way to run elections. If we're striving for a gold standard, it won't happen... and doesn't happen anywhere in the world. So, "this is Africa" (as I'm so often told) and we're only hoping for the bronze. Personally, I'm not satisfied with that.

So, I've put some thought into "other" ways we could run elections here in Sierra Leone. Let me provide a proviso before I attempt to convince everyone of this "new way". I'm only joking... Please remember this... I'm only joking. Don't misquote me or take my words out of context. Again, I'm only joking.

I have to say that three times, at least, because here in Salone so many things are distorted by ill-intentioned media folks who love to ramp up discussion by misquoting and misinforming readers or listeners. That said... Here's my idea for the next election in Salone... Perhaps all parties concerned will deem this process credible. (tongue in cheek)

Okay...

Let's place the leaders of the political parties vying for President into a house for one month (the period of this year's election campaign)... Yes, you've guessed it... An election based on the popular TV show, "big brother".

Each week, candidates will have a series of tasks to do... Negotiate who cleans the bathroom. Work together to change a lightbulb. Carry a 5 gallon container of water on their heads. Cook for each other. Work within a household budget. Find their way around the house in the pitch dark. Meet door-to-door salespeople and dissuade them from coming back. Take bucket baths in the compound. Care for a sick relative who visits. Iron clothes. Oversee house staff. Renovate the garage or build a fence. Plan an event. Etc. etc.

Along the way, they'd provide updates on personal webcams or radio broadcasts. Then, at the end of a two-week period, the audience or people of Sierra Leone could "vote" one of the leaders OUT of the house. Yes, there are ways of checking on texts and votes via phone...

By the end of the show/campaign period... we'd have a leader who pays attention to the people around him/her. They'd know how to negotiate and live together. They'd know how to run a household and care for others. They'd know how to deal with life's little emergencies. They'd be able to live life like an ordinary citizens of this country. And, they could illustrate all of these characteristics live on a 24 hour television channel or radio channel or even online. We'd probably get a truer picture of who these leaders are and what they're capable of.

It would be cheaper... for sure. And, we'd avoid a little of the nonsense of political rallies, rhetorical speeches that say nothing, bribery, buying votes, over-voting, spoiled ballots, etc. And, it's accessible to disabled groups, prisoners, women, children, men, market women, illiterates, young and old.

Okay... I'm just joking... but perhaps the US, Canada, UK, Sierra Leone, Ghana, Libya, et al might want to consider this new way of running an election... Hmmm, just joking.

Back to the realities of sweet Salone... I have to kick in the generator 'cause I'm about to run out of computer power and want to post this on the internet. Candles are lovely... but they don't power my internet connection or my computer or phone.
S/