Election Time

After the 2008 presidential election, I thought I would be free of political hoopla for at least four years…but unfortunately, not. Right now in Peru, we have entered into the regional and city-wide elections, which are a pretty big deal around here.

Politics are politics wherever you go, and Peru is no different. The elections are in October and May this coming year, so candidates are running full-force ahead with their speeches and campaigns full of promises for more jobs, less corruption, and more infrastructures (ie. Fountains).

One thing that is different about politics here is the way in which they vote. In states, you either go into a polling center or get mailed a ballot (like in Oregon ;-D) where you have a list of candidates that you get to choose from. Hopefully, you have done your homework on their views and beliefs and are not voting based on how good they look or what they promised to do in your town.

Here, however, everyone is required to vote. While I would wish that more people voted in the states, as it is our right, I’m glad that people who want to vote are at least educated on the issues or so you hope. Since everyone is required to vote, you run into a couple of problems. Mainly, literacy. Literacy or rather Illiteracy is a major problem, especially with older women. To deal with that problem, instead of a list of names, all people have to do is mark a picture. Therefore, each candidate has a picture attached to their name, such as, a tractor, a water droplet, a hat, etc. Normally their picture explains what their candidacy is about, such as agriculture, clean water, sun-protection? Right now, my host dad is painting houses all over the community in support of a candidate. The murals consist of the candidates name and their picture. This makes for a lot of colorful and interesting houses, as well as a good historical reference to past candidates.

Another problem related to this voting requirement and illiteracy is education. How well are the people informed? Many people are won over by promises of more work or more buildings. I heard one candidate was going to build a sports complex nearby complete with swimming pools. Another promises to give all the high schools laptops. Pardon my laughter, but what about improving health reducing child malnutrition, for one thing. Having new gyms and laptops are all fine and dandy, but dealing with basic needs is a higher priority, I believe. But then again, having less sick children isn’t as spectacular as a nice, new fountain in the plaza.

As Peace Corps volunteers, we are strongly prohibited from participating in political rallies and strongly suggested to stay away from any political party affiliations, as it’s not uncommon for a new political party to get rid of or not support people from other political parties. I’m not at all upset about this rule, as I don’t even want to go near politics here. But at the same time, it’s hard to just stand by and not state your opinion, something of which I never thought I would miss.

Voting took place last Sunday (so naturally I didn't go near Bambamarca). And as of right now, the winner has not been named because there is apparently a 10-vote difference. I won't even go into that right now...

Watching politics here in Peru, almost makes me miss the FOX/MSNBC debates…Almost….