New technology playing active role in St Maarten elections
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| Published on Thursday, April 12, 2007 |
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PHILIPSBURG, St Maarten: Today’s technology has become the latest weapon in the Island Council election campaign arsenal on St Maarten. In an election where the popular vote counts, several candidates have taken to the internet and other media to increase their chances of visibility.
“Candidates who are after the younger electorate or those who use technology more regularly on a daily basis are turning to You Tube, email blasts and online interactivity to engage them in the process,” explained Nerissa Golden, a publicity consultant.
For one candidate the option to use technology to boost his campaign platform was an easy choice as his business is all about technology. Gregory Richardson is the Number Nine candidate on the Democratic Party (DP) slate and also owns his own tech-based company on St Maarten.
“This campaign for us has been about talking to the people on issues. The issues we are facing and will face as we become a country. With limited financial resources to purchase massive airtime on radio and television, using You Tube to air regular videos about different concerns was an easy sell,” Richardson explained.
“It cuts down the amount of time it takes to get information to voters and explain what we are about and things they should consider as they prepare to vote on April 20,” he added. “Without ever leaving their homes to go to a rally, they can still get to know about me and my election campaign.”
Other DP candidates who have deployed websites to encourage voter participation are Senator Maria Buncamper-Molanus, and Roy Marlin. The Democratic Labor Party (DLP) is also using the internet as a means to connect with voters. Spearheaded by Olivier Arrindell, another tech-buff, regular email blasts are sent out to contacts to remind them of upcoming meetings and the importance of voting in the elections. The Progressive People’s Party (PPA) also utilizes the web in their campaigning.
Having a fancy website is not enough though, explained Golden who runs goldenmedia, a media management firm in the Northeastern Caribbean. “You still need to get people to the site. Offline promotions are important for that to happen. Using the web address on all promotional posters, on radio and television advertising is vital. The websites also need to be registered with online search engines such as Google, Yahoo, MSN, Alta Vista and most importantly dmoz.org, which all engines use as a reference for spidering new sites.”
She made mention of Roy Marlin’s use of his web address on wrist bands that are handed out to voters. “That was definitely a good idea as wrist bands are now fashionable again. They are a reminder to the wearer and also persons will ask about it.”
Golden, who is a former journalist and news editor said the best use of technology so far has been Gregory Richardson as he uses email newsletters, You Tube and interactivity on his sxmhope.com website, which allows persons to find out if they are registered to vote, take polls on campaign issues and respond to published reports.
“Using technology definitely stretches the campaign dollars. Its usage in connection with traditional election strategies, such as radio jingles, TV ads and talk shows, and printed releases provides access to a wider audience. As long as they can drive the voters to the websites, there is a better chance of them staying long enough to learn more about the candidate.”
“The websites are also another way of chronicling our elections for future generations. They provide us with a view of what the party or individual candidate is about. You can and should hold them to the things that are stated on their sites,” said Golden. | | | | Reads : 310 | | | |
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