Elections can be an important entry point to fellow citizens to influence politics and change in their country. The right to vote is inseparable from the right to participate in public life. Through voting, one can choose the candidate who will work on the issues they care most about.

1. Understanding Elections and Civic
Responsibility
Presented
By
Obia Mboni Bryan
YALI FELLOW
All Rights Reserved (c) 2016

2. OUTLINE
1. Introduction
2. Definition of key terms
3. The rights and responsibilities of a citizen during elections
4. Issues to advocate for before and after elections
5. How a voter make the right choice
6. Elements to consider in grassroots campaign
7. Steps to consider when thinking of meeting a candidate or elected official
8. How to remind officials about their promises
9. Questions and interaction with participants
10. End of program
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3. Introduction
Elections can be an important entry point to fellow citizens to influence politics
and change in their country. The right to vote is inseparable from the right to
participate in public life. Through voting, one can choose the candidate who
will work on the issues they care most about. Voting is important, but election
day is only one day.
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4. Definitions Of Key Terms
Elections: It is a formal decision-making process by which a
population chooses an individual to hold a public office.
Civic Responsibility: It is the responsibility of citizens in a society
to exhibit certain attitudes and actions related to participation in
society and democratic governance.
Grassroots organizing: This is when ordinary citizens are the
force behind the effort to make that change.
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5. WhatAre The Rights OfACitizen During Election Period?
1. The right to support or campaign on behalf of any candidate.
2. To vote freely for any candidate or measure of his/her choosing.
3. To have his/her vote kept confidential.
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6. The Responsibilities OfACitizen During Election Period.
1. The responsibility to be informed.
2. Learn how to register to vote.
3. Register before the deadline.
4. Know the date of the election.
5. Know your assigned polling station.
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7. Cont…
6. Know the required documentation you need to bring to your polling station.
7. know the candidates and issues.
8. Inform yourself by watching candidate debates.
9. Follow news about the issues and candidates in the local newspaper, radio or
television.
10. Attending political events.
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8. Issues Citizens CanAdvocate ForAndAfter Elections.
1. Employment
2. Good wages
3. Improved living conditions
4. Affordable and comprehensive tax system
5. Adequate health services
6. Quality education
7. The respect for human rights and dignity at work
8. Laws that take into considerations the position of the less privileged and
disadvantaged others.
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9. Quiz 1
Which of the following is not a responsibility of a citizen during
elections?
a) The responsibility to be informed
b) Attending political events
c) Knowing how much is in a candidate’s bank account
d) Register before deadline
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10. Quiz 2
Which of the following is not a pressing issue to advocate for
during elections?
a) Employment
b) Reduction in bride price
c) Good wages
d) Quality education and adequate health facilities
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11. How CanAVoter Make The Right Choice?
1. Focusing on the candidate’s ideas for the future
2. Look beyond the personalities of the candidates (religion, gender,
ethnicity or place of origin).
3. Organizing and attending candidate debates.
4. Assist voters in making decisions based on a specific problem.
5. Mobilize your fellow citizens(encourage them to register and vote).
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12. WhatAre The Key Elements In Grassroots Campaign For Civic Engagement?
1. Leadership: A leader is to be;
 Responsible for bringing people together
 Provide vision and ensure that everyone is working in common purpose
 Assign respective roles and responsibilities to individuals
 Create infrastructure for their cause by delegating specific tasks to others.
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13. Elements Cont…
2. Capacity building: A leader is to;
 Draw more and more people during campaign.
 Celebrate good news with supporters as the campaign progresses.
 Prepare supporters for peaks and valleys during campaign.
 Make them understand that their support, especially in the more difficult times of the
campaign, is absolutely critical.
 Ask them to host an event to discuss the campaign and sign up more supporters.
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14. End Of Elements
3. Execution of plan
Ensure that supporters understand with perfect clarity what their role
is and your own part in it.
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15. Quiz 3
How can a voter make the right choice?
a) By focusing on the candidate’s ideas for the future.
b) Focusing on a candidate’s eloquence and body language.
c) Focusing on the candidate’s personality such as; religion,
gender, ethnicity or place of origin.
d) Focusing on the candidate’s academic background.
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16. Quiz 4
During elections, a leader is not supposed to?
a) Provide vision and ensure that everyone is working in
common purpose.
b) Coerce people.
c) Assign respective roles and responsibilities to individuals.
d) Delegate specific tasks to others.
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17. Steps To Consider When Thinking Of MeetingACandidate Or Elected Official.
Meeting a candidate or elected official entails some preparations. One must;
1. Be specific on what your government can do to help the issue you care about.
2. Find out who the specific officials are, who needs to act and what you want them to do
and by when.
3. Identify the key officials who have acted on this issue previously(Know their record).
4. Craft ideas on how the community, including associations, businesses and media, can
strengthen the action you think government should take.
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18. How To MeetACandidate Or Elected Official.
1. By visiting their offices or contacting their staff.
2. Use personal connections, like someone who knows the candidate or official.
3. Look for public meetings they’re scheduled to attend and seek them out there.
4. In-person requests
5. Phone calls
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19. How To Prepare ForAConversationWithACandidate Or Elected Official.
1. Introduce yourself and thank them for meeting with you.
2. Talk about the problem in your community that you want their help with.
3. Propose your solution to the problem, including ideas for immediate actions
by the government as well as a longer-term vision.
4. Make “the ask.” Be specific about what action you want the official to take
and by when.
5. Wrap up your meeting with a follow-up discussion or action in mind.
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20. How Can Elected Officials Be RemindedAboutTheir PromisesAfter Elections?
1. By forming advocacy groups
2. The use of social networks
3. Print media(magazines, journals, newspapers etc.).
4. Through music
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21. The Danger In BuyingAnd Selling Votes
Buying and selling votes leads to;
1. Reduced government accountability.
2. Decreases trust in politics.
3. Increases corruption.
4. Favoritism, Tribalism and Nepotism.
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22. Final Quiz
Which of the following is not a suitable way to remind an elected leader
about his/her promises?
a) Forming advocacy groups.
b) The use of Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp and Instagram.
c) Through Music.
d) Harassing and reporting them to their wife/husband.
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23. Conclusion
Your vote is your voice. You can use it to make a difference in your
life and the lives of your friends, families and the future of your
country. If you sell your vote, then you are essentially selling your
future. Vote the change you want to see and stay engaged to ensure
your voice continues to be heard long after election day.
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24. The Change Can BeginWithYou.
Thank You
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25. Reference
www.yali.state.gov
All Rights Reserved (c) 2016