The Covid-19 pandemic will inevitably prompt candidates seeking election next June to break from the traditional campaign tactics employed in the past.
The customary street marches, mass public rallies and door-to-door visits previously employed by candidates in the race for the Chapala mayor’s seat and state and federal legislative offices will be subject to restrictions in compliance with health measures, according to the Chapala government’s legal counsel Isaac Trejo.
Gerardo Degollado, a former mayor, incumbent city councilor and presumed mayoral candidate for the new Fuerza party, is calling for a pact among all contenders to implement other strategies that will make the race more equitable and beneficial to constituents.
First of all, he proposes the elimination of political propaganda painted on walls and displayed on plastic banners to prevent the proliferation of eyesores that are already seen in the municipality. He also suggests restricting the broadcasting of campaign songs and slogans from sound cars roaming the community´s streets to relieve inhabitants from constant noise nuisance.
It remains to been seen how far state and local authorities will go to force these innovations on the electoral landscape. But there is little doubt that in this era of change, politicians will have to rely more heavily on social media to push their agendas and ambitions.