Why This Election Feels Like A Phantom Vote

As I walked down Republic Street yesterday, I noticed something unusual. The usually bustling street, a few weeks away from election day, was eerily quiet. No political banners fluttering in the breeze, no party supporters handing out leaflets, no heated debates echoing off the historic buildings. It was as if Malta was holding its breath, waiting for something to happen. But what?

An Election Like No Other

This election, scheduled for March 26, feels different. It’s not just the absence of the usual pre-election buzz. It’s the sense that this election is happening in a vacuum, detached from the everyday lives of Maltese people. The pandemic has seen to that. With public gatherings banned, political activity has moved online. But has it reached the people?

Take the traditional door-to-door campaigning, for instance. It’s been replaced by Zoom calls and Facebook Live sessions. While these platforms have their merits, they lack the personal touch of a face-to-face conversation. They don’t allow for the spontaneous exchange of ideas, the give-and-take that often shapes political opinion. Instead, we’re left with scripted speeches and carefully curated social media posts.

Politics In The Time Of COVID

The pandemic has also changed the way we consume political information. With traditional campaigning methods out of the question, parties have turned to social media and online advertising. But with so much information competing for our attention, it’s hard to know what to believe. Add to that the echo chambers of social media, where we’re often shown only what we want to see, and it’s no wonder many feel disconnected from the political process.

the pandemic has highlighted the stark inequalities in our society. While some have been able to work from home, others have lost their jobs or are struggling to make ends meet. These issues are at the forefront of people’s minds, yet they often get lost in the political rhetoric. It’s as if the election is happening in a parallel universe, detached from the reality of people’s lives.

Finding Our Voice

So, how can we make this election feel real? How can we ensure that our voices are heard, that our concerns are addressed? The first step is to engage with the political process, despite the challenges posed by the pandemic. This means more than just casting your vote on election day. It means asking questions, demanding answers, holding our politicians accountable.

It also means looking beyond the party lines, beyond the sound bites and the spin. It means listening to the people around us, to their struggles and their hopes. It means demanding a politics that reflects the reality of our lives, not a phantom election that feels detached from the world we live in.

As I walked back up Republic Street, I passed by the Grandmaster’s Palace. It was quiet, too, its usually bustling courtyard empty. But inside, the wheels of democracy were turning. It’s up to us to make sure they’re turning in the right direction.

So, let’s make this election real. Let’s make it about the people, about the issues that matter to us. Let’s make it an election to remember, not an election that feels like a ghost.