Melaka polls: Old ways meet new on campaign trail

Melaka's election campaign is a blend of old and new methods as candidates strive to reach voters in the upcoming polls. With the campaign already in its second day, the 79 candidates competing for the 28 seats are utilizing both traditional and digital means to garner support from the 687,697 eligible voters. Some candidates are following traditional campaigning methods, such as meeting voters face-to-face during walkabouts at busy locations and participating in community activities.

Others, however, are leveraging digital platforms to promote their campaigns, share their activities, and reach voters beyond their constituencies. A notable example is Barisan Nasional candidate Datuk Mohd Noor Helmy Abdul Halem, also known as YB Duyong, who has a significant following on social media with over 1.5 million followers.

Despite this, he emphasizes that online popularity does not guarantee a victory, as the actual support of voters cannot be determined by the number of likes on social media. Noor Helmy has been balancing digital and conventional campaigning since his five-year term began, and he faces Pakatan Harapan candidate Poo Long Suan in the upcoming election.

The election is particularly significant as voters aged below 50 constitute about 65% of Melaka's electorate, making digital platforms an essential channel for candidates to engage with voters. These platforms provide a convenient way to disseminate campaign messages, reach voters outside the constituency, build public profiles, and respond quickly to issues.

The success of candidates in Melaka's election campaign will rely on their ability to strike a balance between digital and conventional campaigning, as face-to-face engagement remains crucial in building personal connections with voters.