Word Chest: Week 5| Election | Contest for Everyone

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Salut, great kids and kids' lovers!

If you could be a political leader for a specific period in your country, what office would you vie for and what are the election processes you need to follow?

In a democratic system of government, representatives are usually selected to occupy political positions for a certain tenure or (whispering) probably, forever. The process of choosing the right candidate is called Election. Yes, ih-lek-shn with the stress on the first syllable /ih/. This is the theme for today's adventure.

About last week's activity, I received submissions from @ghani12, @ibtisamwaqas, @ikramullah430 and @ahbaz. I have been able to compile the correct answers for each question. Kindly visit the comment section of the last post after this class.

If you are participating in this for the first time, then below is a list of past adventures for you.

No	Link
1.	The Name of Young Animals
2.	Occupation
3.	Music
4.	Homonym
5.	Street
6.	There, their and they're

What is in the chest?

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Election
noun
🗣️ /ɪˈlekʃ(ə)n/
As stated above, an election is a process of choosing a person or people who will occupy a public position[s] or office[s] by voting. Elections are usually conducted by electoral commissions.

A simple example of an election is the act of choosing a class captain or representative. The class members usually nominate a few people and the person with the highest vote assumes that position, right?

What does the word "vote" mean?

Vote
noun
/vəʊt/ 🗣️ Pronounced as vowt
This refers to a formal choice that you make on matters of administration, an election or a meeting. It involves casting a ballot, raising your hand, speaking your choice aloud — like when asked to say "aye" or "nay" — etc.

Let's find out what a ballot is.
A ballot is a card or piece of paper used to cast a vote.

Another word you should get familiar with is Poll
/pəʊl/ 🗣️ powl
A poll is a formal election or the number of votes made in an election.

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One cannot vote if they do not have the right to. So what words can be used to signify eligibility?

Franchise
noun
🗣️ /ˈfræn.tʃaɪz/
Pronounced as FRAN-chyz. Not all people are eligible to vote. So franchise is the right of qualified adult citizens of a given society to vote and be voted for in a public election.
Example:

• Adult females were not allowed to exercise their franchise under the 1922 constitution of Nigeria, but now women are allowed to vote in public elections and be voted for.

Suffrage
noun
/ˈsʌf.rɪdʒ/ 🗣️ SUH-fruhj
Suffrage is synonymous with franchise ( i.e. has similar meanings). It is the right to vote.
Example

• Some 21st-century nations still do not permit women's suffrage.

Manifesto
/ˌmæn.ɪˈfes.təʊ/ 🗣️ ma-nee-FES-stow
It is a written statement of the beliefs, aims, policies or programmes of an organization, especially a political party.
Example

• The party manifesto is used as a magnetic pull to entice more members and the electorates to support the party.

Party
/ˈpɑː.ti/ 🗣️ PAA-tee
In politics, a party is an organization of people who have similar political beliefs, opinions, principles, ideas and interests. They work to have their members elected to positions in the government.
Example

• Emem was a member of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) until she defected to the Labour Party (LP).

There we go! We have gotten one word for the week. Want to find out what it is? Read on!

Candidate
/ˈkæn.dɪ.dət/ 🗣️ KAN-di-deyt
It refers to a person who is aspiring for a political office or trying to be elected.
Example

• About five prospective candidates will be running for president come 2023.

Primary
This is an election in which members of the same political party select a political candidate, flagbearer or group of candidates who will represent them at the general election. The Flagbearer carries the banner and represents the interests and programmes of the party.

• Jemima emerged as DCP's Presidential flag-bearer in its just-concluded primary election.

Caucus
/ˈkɔː.kəs/ 🗣️ kaw-kuhs
A caucus is part of the primary election process where party members vote for their preferred candidates.

• The amendment would have eliminated the party's caucus system for choosing candidates. source

Not all votes are usually made by qualified adults in an election. In indirect elections, for instance, some people are authorized to vote on behalf of others. These people are known as Delegates. A perfect example of an indirect election is an electoral college.

iVoting
This is a system which allows people to vote in an election or referendum from any device connected to the internet.

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Have you ever heard of referendum and plebiscite? Here are what they mean.

Referendum
/ˌref.əˈren.dəm/ 🗣️ reh-fuh-ren-dm
A referendum is a popular vote which expresses the will of the public on a particular political issue such as a proposed law on constitutional amendment etc. It does not entail voting for a candidate.

Plebiscite, like a referendum, is a "yes" or "no" election on issues of national importance.

Convention
noun
🗣️ /kənˈven.ʃən/
A large formal meeting for a political party. →Where will the party's convention hold?

Rig
Verb
🗣️ /rɪɡ/
An act of manipulating or controlling something usually by deceptive or dishonest means. E.g To rig an election.

Electioneering
🗣️ /iˌlek.ʃəˈnɪə.rɪŋ/
Politicians and their supporters are known for trying to persuade people to vote for them or their political party in an election by making speeches, debates, and visiting voters, these activities are known as electioneering.

By-election
🗣️ /ˈbaɪɪˌlekʃən/
An election which happens at a different time from the main election, to replace someone who has died or left their job.

Demagogue
/ˈdem.ə.ɡɒɡ/ 🗣️ DEM-uh-guhg
A political leader who tries to get support by making false claims and promises and using arguments based on emotion rather than logic or reason.

• The mark of a dishonest demagogue is using a tragedy to advance a policy which has nothing to do with the actual event.

Sycophant
/ˈsɪk.ə.fænt/🗣️ si-kuh-fant
A person who praises rich or influential people to gain their favour.

• He is surrounded by traitors and sycophants.

Campaign
🗣️ /kæmˈpeɪn/
A series of activities designed to achieve a set goal. For example, an election campaign is conducted to win a political election.

Electorate
/iˈlek.tər.ət/🗣️ ih-LEK-tuh-ruht
They are the people who are allowed to vote.

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Final Thoughts
Qualified adults need to exercise their franchise during public elections as it is their responsibility to select the right candidate for each public position.

ACTIVITY

You have an opportunity to vie for a political position in an upcoming election. Tell us what public office you will like to occupy and why. Write the processes you need to follow depending on the system of government practised in your country. Include your manifestos.

Rules

• This activity is open to everyone. It's another way to help the children learn.
• Post should not be less than 350 words.
• Please carry out enough research to gather enough ideas.
• Clearly state the system of government in your country.
• The essay should be well arranged.
• There are no prizes but you stand a chance of being curated.
• Please use the hashtags #word-chest, #writing, #steemexclusive, #your country (e.g. #nigeria) and any other relevant hashtag.
• Submit the link to your post in the comment section and please do not forget to tag @ukpono.
• Attach a link to your achievement one post.
• Invite others to join this contest.

I wish you the best of luck. Have a blessed week!

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