A major phenomenon observed in this year’s US political campaigns ahead of the November 6th polls is advertisement by individuals and organisations to promote favourite candidates.
Unlike the 2008 presidential elections where social media such as “facebook and twitter” became the main mediums of campaign by political parties, particularly the Democrats, this time round advertisement of all sorts is dominating the contest.
This revelation came to light during a tour by 11 West African and Ethiopian Journalists to various US Federal agencies and some private organisations to acquaint themselves with their functions and responsibilities.
Mr. William Buzenberg, Executive Director, Centre for Public Integrity, an investigative journalism body in the US capital, who was not so enthused about the current development, questioned the factuality of campaign messages put across by these society and individual.
“It only goes to affirm the positions and beliefs and not exactly the realities on the ground. Some are indeed misleading,” he said.
Dr. David Alexander, Assistant Director, Centre for Design, methods, and Analysis of the US Government of Accountability Office, said unlike other countries in the world, the US election system was highly decentralized with authority being shared by Federal, State and Local officials.
The states are therefore responsible for the administration of their own elections as well as regulating the various aspects of the electoral process. But Congress has the explicit authority under the Elections Clause to regulate the times, places and manner of congressional and presidential elections.
Dr. Alexander said the primary responsibility for managing, planning and conducting elections, resided locally with about 10,500 jurisdictions nationwide, adding that the Federal Government had a one-time grant to aid local authorities in conducting their own elections.
He said about two million poll workers were needed for the November 6 federal elections, adding whiles some were paid by appointing political parties, others came as volunteers.
The US citizen could either vote through a paper ballot, lever machines, punch cards, optical scan and direct recording elections machines. Early or absentee and provisional voting was also allowed under the system.
Dr. Alexander said a major issue of the 2012 elections was voter identification requirement, adding whilst 31 states had requirement for all eligible voters to show identification card, 11 states specified identification cards with the voter’s photograph.
Some of the institutions visited included the Office of the Inspector General of the District of Columbia, US Government Accountability Office (GAO), and International Centre for Journalists, the Centre for Public Integrity and the “OpenTheGovernment.org”.
GAO is an independent body mandated to investigate and conduct research and other finding for Congress to take action.
Mr. Chuck Young, Managing Director of the Public Affairs, said the agency was created to assist Congress to meet its constitutional responsibilities and improve the performance and ensure accountability of federal government for the benefit of the American People.
The GAO reports therefore thrive on accountability, integrity and reliability with strict performance standards.
Mr. Young said the GAO supported congressional oversight by investigating auditing agencies, illegal and improper activities, reporting on government programmes and policies, performing policy analysis and outlining options for congressional consideration as well as issuing legal decisions and opinions.
Mr. Charles Willoughby, Inspector General, Office of the Inspector General, District of Columbia, said the office, also an independent body, existed to promote the quality of lives of the people as well as ensuring efficiency and effectiveness in district government programmes and operations.
The office provided leadership, coordination and recommended policies designed to promote economy, efficiency and effectiveness in district.