by Masimba Mukichi

Created on: October 26, 2008   Last Updated: October 27, 2008

A government candidate is a public servant in the making.I strongly subscribe to the idea that government candidates must be required to hold press conferences to answer questions from media and public.Likewise disclose their positions in any fashion they prefer.

Press conferences are a marketing and campaigning platform for a government candidate. This is the only chance where a candidate may share his election manifesto with the public and the press.Press conferences are necessary because they help the public to decide on whom to vote for.The media and the public have the chance to observe how witty is the candidate by the manner he/she answers questions.Communication skills of the candidate can be noticed during this question and answer session.None would want to vote for a candidate who is a lame duck in communication and finding solutions to problems concerning the economy and foreign affairs.

Press conferences gave the candidate the chance to face the voters.A voter needs to be assured that his/her vote is casted for the right person who is confident to deliver the goods. The body language of a candidate tells a lot during a press conference. This will give the media the chance to evaluate whether to report positively or negatively for the government candidate.Likewise members of the public may come face to face with their candidate.They can see whether his personality and dressing is suitatable for him to be voted as a civil servant.

None would want to vote for a non eloquent,intelligent candidate.Press conferences help to gauge whether the candidate knows what is expected of his job.The media and the public can have the oppportunity to evaluate whether the candidate is not stage fright and is capable of doing the job.Press conferences can market a candidate or can play down their chances of being voted for.

Allowing candidates to express their views in fashion they prefer is good because it will enable the public to evaluate their candidate.A certain dress code is expected for government employees.If the candidate's dress code does not reflect the expectations of the job, then there is no way we can vote for a presidential candidate who dress like a cow-boy when going for a heads of state meeting at the United nations. There is a saying,"dressing makes a person stand out." One can not be an ambassador of the people and the country if he/ she dresses like a scavenger or a humpty-dumpty.

Dressing is a reflection of our personality.One have to dress like a government candidate in order to win the hearts of voters.Without mincing words , a candidate should be allowed to say out the type of fashion he/she is interested in, so that the public can decide whether his taste of clothing is in harmony with the job he/she wants to be voted for. There are some candidates who also want ",elephant skin dressing" this is dangerous because such candidates would end up lobbying for more clothing allowances in parliament.Hence this will strain the tax-payer.

Finally a government candidate should not be isolated from press conferences because he / she is a public figure who needs to be known and who needs to win votes.Votes can only be cast for an individual who can represent the public home and away.Hence the press conferences are the ideal platform for campaigning.Press conferences are indispensable to a government candidate who is serious to win votes.

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