CAMPAIGN METHOD (Hermita Arif)

Euphoria of local election is currently colonizing most of region in Indonesia, including Makassar for its coming soon mayoral election. It is common to see almost all side-road in Makassar crowded by big picture of all major candidates. Each of successful team arranges campaign strategy to attract as many as possible the number of vote from society in order to win the election. Campaign is simply to introduce the candidate to the public. Generally there are two methods of campaign which are opened and closed campaign. This paper explains the advantage and disadvantage of both methods.

Opened-campaign, as its name, is conducted in an open place such as main road, traditional market, or other public area. Considered as an efficient way to attract public vote, most of candidates use this method. Firstly, it is the way where they can involve and drive large number of supporters. Secondly, by conducting it in an open space, the candidate may reach almost all society in order to introduce their self. However, it also brings some disadvantages. Controlling and supervising large number of mass are not an easy job and so open campaign sometimes cause commotion either among the campaigner or with people outside them. Moreover, it will raise traffic jam when it conducted in the main road of city. Instead of attracting people, it will make those who feel uncomfortable to turn not to vote. Then what is the point if campaigning if so?

The second is the one which is held in a closed-room and so called closed-campaign. The candidate by this method will introduce their self and present their vision, mission, and their planned-program in a formal speech which is usually broadcasted through some local televisions. It will be effective in a way that the public may clearly know the candidate’s plan to develop their region. It is because this method of campaign provides conducive situation to hear the dialogue and debate among the candidates in order to read their view regarding national issue such as education, corruption, economy, health and so on and how they will solve the related issue. But, in term of its efficiency, it probably cannot attract public attention as many as what can be reached in opened one. This is not only due to limited number of people that may enter the campaign room but also people that access the media like television which shows the said campaign

In conclusion, both campaign methods have their own-advantage and disadvantage. Opened- campaign wins over closed-campaign in its efficiency to attract public attention and on the other hand, the closed one is more effective in presenting candidates’ figure and their view to develop the region.