GOOD

MORNING

How do we select and on
what bases do we choose
our leader?
Truly, elections are the core of the
political process. In the previous
modules, you have already learned
the framework of the government.

Thistime, you will learn how to

become part of governance.
One of many ways by which you can
participate in governmental affairs is
through elections.

The leaders you elect are reflective

of the type of policies you wish to be
crafted and implemented.
Youcan definitely control your
government by selecting the right
people who will occupy seats in the
public office.

Toput simply, politicians are

servants of the people who elect
them.
WHAT ARE ELECTIONS?
 ELECTIONS
Elections are a device for
filling a governmental office
through choices made by the
electorate, a designated body
of qualified people.
Elections have variety of
roles and functions. The
following however, are the
central ones.
1. RECRUITING POLITICAL LEADERS
Through elections, politicians – people who possess
talents and skills relevant to electioneering – are
chosen. These skills may not be necessarily related to
what politicians are required in accomplishing their
functions.

Nonetheless, individuals who possess such “skills” are

enlisted at the roster of leaders through elections.
WHAT SKILLS DOES A
PRESIDENT NEED?
VISION- A national leader must have
a strong vision of where the country is
going, and a plan to bring it there.

CHARISMA- A national leader must

have a powerful charisma, to gain the
support of the country and inspire each
citizen to contribute to its success.
COMMUNICATION- A national leader
must be an effective global communicator
of our vision, the actions we will take, and
how other countries can engage with us.

INTELLECT- A national leader must have

a strong mind and incredible stamina to
synthesize, process, and understand the
vast amount of information coming in daily.
ABILITY TO LISTEN- Before
making the ultimate decision, a
leader must first truly listen to the
advisors, the people, and the
critics.

LOVE- A leader must love his or her

people and country genuinely.
2. MAKING GOVERNMENTS
In countries where the executive is elected,
elections directly make the government. In
parliamentary governments, elections are an
avenue in the formations of these government.

Inthe Philippines, elections do not only create

the government, but the opposition as well.
3. PROVIDING REPRESENTATION
Infair and competitive systems, elections become
the means through which people’s demands are
channeled to the government.

Elected officials are considered the link between

the government and the people. In the Philippines,
for example, the member of the House of
Representatives are elected to represent their
constituents in the halls of government.
4. INFLUENCING POLICY
Elections may hinder the government from pursuing
unpopular policies. At times when a single issue
dominates the electoral campaign, elections may
directly influence policy.

Elections are considered as a venue by which people can

choose officials based on policy choices. However, the
Philippine political system is considered as personality-
based more than program- or policy-oriented.
5. EDUCATING VOTERS
Elections provide the electorate with abundant
information during the campaign period and
voting process. The information may be about the
candidates, parties, policies, and the like.

Elections can possibly influence or encourage

citizens’ participation, or the “civic culture” as
termed by Gabriel Almond and Sidney Verba
(1963)
The utilization of a wide array of campaign
strategies, including the use of social media,
has propelled elections to new heights.

 On the country, the campaign season

becomes the people’s source of information
regarding the candidate (even their personal
and familial matters) and the timely issues
that are to be addressed.
6. BUILDING LEGITIMACY
Elections provide justification for a system of rule
and thus help in fostering legitimacy. Elections also
mobilize active consent by encouraging citizens to
participate in politics through elections.

In the Philippines, as in elsewhere, officials who are

given seats in the government are considered holders
of legitimate power as the people elected them.
7. STRENGTENING ELITES

While elections can encourage people to

participate in politics and link people to the
government, elections can also be a vehicle
through which the political elites can
manipulate and control the masses.
ANSWER THE FOLLOWING:

1. WHAT IS AN ELECTION FOR?

2. IS IT IMPORTANT TO HAVE AN
ELECTION? WHY?