Simple courtesy in a democracy goes a long way. Let’s Sensibly practice our infant democracy .(ውልዶ ደሞክራሲና ብሓላፍነትን ልቦናን ንለማመድ) The rational for conceding. Why a losing candidate should concede? Also democracy and elections are not new to Eritreans, but it has been over half century since our last national or regional election took place.( in the 1950’s Eritreans were voting to electing their representatives in congress) In politics, a concession is the act of a losing candidate publicly yielding to a winning candidate after an election, when the overall result of the vote has become clear. Also, It is not necessary for the losing candidate to concede in order for the winning candidate to be seated, nor is the losing candidate obliged to concede once it has been conclusively demonstrated that they lost. But if the losing candidate was in office (in position of power) it is important for him/her to concede graciously, curiously to preserve, his/her legacy clean, as well as out of respect to the democratic process and his/her or supporters. And if the losing candidate is a new comer to politics, like-wise, it is important to keep his/her public image and a good name intact. This will give the losing candidate an opportunity to re-organize, in order to re-try his luck in second time or third time around of national or regional or municipal elections, whatever the case maybe. Most losing candidates, usually thank their supporters for their valiant efforts, and points to the non-electoral successes of the campaign in building party strength and raising issues to attention that would not otherwise be in public discussion. It is also traditional, unless the campaign has been exceptionally bitter, to congratulate the winning candidate and wish them well in office, perhaps even offering a parting word of advice. This is the common way how losing candidates, internationally concede. If we’re to change the culture of politics it’s time to practice it. Historical photos ▼ A polling station in Mercato in Asmara , 25 -26 March 1952 during the first parliamentary elections in Eritrea. Few countries in Africa were independent by then and had elected parliaments. Picture courtesy of Jelal Yassin
Posted on: Mon, 20 Oct 2014 14:26:05 +0000
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