Today, the village was full of confusion after people started hearing that some positions had more than one adopted candidate. Near the shops, men were arguing louder than broken radios. “How can one position have two or three adopted people?” one man complained dramatically. Another shook his head and announced, “Politics has now become group assignments!” The whole place burst into laughter. Ba Malume, who had been quietly listening to the radio, finally removed his cap slowly and spoke. “My sons, serious political parties prepare for emergencies. There is usually a preferred candidate and a standby candidate.” One young man interrupted quickly, “Standby? Is this football?” Ba Malume laughed loudly. “Exactly! Elections are unpredictable. The preferred candidate may fail nominations, fall sick, face legal problems, or disappear like somebody who borrowed money.” The shop exploded with laughter again.
Ba Malume leaned forward and continued carefully. “The standby system is not confusion. It is preparation. A serious party cannot risk losing a seat because one person fails to file papers properly.” The boys nodded slowly while pretending they already understood from the beginning. “The real problem starts when some unsuccessful people fail to accept results peacefully,” Ba Malume continued. “Instead of supporting the chosen candidate, they begin creating confusion at nomination centers like customers fighting over free samples.” More laughter filled the shop. So not every disagreement means the party is disorganized. Sometimes it is simply political heartbreak behaving badly.
Then Ba Malume’s face became serious as he spoke about campaigns beginning tomorrow. “And listen carefully,” he said firmly. “The President has already warned against violence, intimidation, and disorder during this campaign period.” The room immediately became quiet. “Blocking people from filing nominations, fighting, or causing chaos is not democracy. The President has made it clear that the law will apply to everyone equally, no matter which side they belong to.” Ba Malume paused before delivering his final lesson. “Politics is not war. It is competition of ideas. If your candidate is truly strong, let citizens decide peacefully instead of using violence.” The group sat quietly thinking while one old man whispered, “Awe democracy needs patience.” Ba Malume smiled calmly and replied, “Exactly. Noise can win attention, my son but only discipline builds a nation.”
