PROMOTING POLITICAL IDENTITY: AN ESSENTIAL COMPONENTS IN WINNING THE ELECTION

Abstract

The study was conducted to analyze and assess the requirements for the election campaign
process of a politician in winning an election. How do candidates for elective positions execute
plans for victorious political pursuit?
The study covered the 4th District of Bulacan that includes the Municipalities of Sta.
Maria, Marilao, Obando, and the City of Meycauayan. Respondents of the study include the
Mayor, Vice-Mayor, Councilors, Barangay Captain and Councilman.
A total of six hundred eight (608) respondents were elected officials who participated in the
study. The mixed method of research was used utilizing both qualitative and quantitative
approaches in securing the responses of the study.
The study revealed that the most effective plan in winning an election included the following:
house-to-house campaign remains the predominant approach followed by meeting sorties after
the house-to-house campaign. Targeting of the voters also served as a good plan. Caucus,
meeting and attending to weddings, the baptismal celebration also was included in the actions
taken by aspiring candidates.
Political affiliations are not so much given merits. What makes them decide to run for a
political position revealed personal decision to run was the highest points, followed by family,
group, and political decision. Furthermore, the study revealed that family affiliations appeared
the highest factor to win an election.
Concerning funds, personal funds are followed by contribution, affiliated group, and the
political party that comes in political findings.
Fund allocations go to posters and flyers, food, transportation, election staff, and equipment
expenses where funds are allocated. The study revealed that no vote-buying was revealed.
Election watcher was the highest numbers of workers considered in the study.

The study confirmed that the traditional strategy of the house-to-house campaign remained
the political approach in winning an election and a caucus afterward followed by meeting with
different groups where the best strategies to win an election.
The problems and issues during the election include the group demanding foods and liquors
during the house-to-house campaign; wearing of uniforms during the campaign and election
time; giving of donation during the campaign period due to fiesta and basketball event and
poster’s of the candidate during and before the election campaign.
Further, it was found out that family name with political history remains a big factor for recall in
winning an election and it is an essential to political identity a bigger factor for winning an
election.
The study recommended the following steps or procedures to win an election:
determine the political position and requirements of the laws before running, the need for a
political planner is a must to plan and execute the campaign; review the political landscape
together with a survey in the election, and targetting of voters to determine the needed
number to win.
The last recommendation is a proposal for a political campaign manual that highlights the step
by-step guide in winning an election. These include the following: (1) awareness of the election
rules and guidelines, (2) assessment of the political landscape, (3) campaign goal settings, (4)
targeting of voters, (5) formulation of an effective campaign message, (6) development of voters
contact plan, (7) campaign and election staffing, (8) funding, (9) development of the campaign
and election plans, programs and activities, (10) implementation and (11) post-election
assessment.