Some of you maybe know, some of you probably not. There´s general elections in the Czech republic next month. Our relatively young democracy has been struggling with relatively low elector´s attendance, especially among the younger voters between 18 and 25 years of age. In my country, people are literraly sick of politicians, of their unrealistic promises, corruption scandals, and arrogance. Many just don´t believe one can really change something by going to the poll station and making his or hers vote count. At least we don´t HAVE TO go there, but we can go there. It´s up to everybody´s decision, whether he or she is going to use the right to vote. But could it really make a difference?
According to 3 czech top notch advertising and movie directors and also according to my own own believe, it CAN make a difference nontheless! Having this in their mind, the 3 artists have joined their efforts and came up with the project called Rozhodněte to (You´ll decide): voting is sexy. They´ve created 3 different commercials and placed them on the web under www.rozhodneteto.cz where everyone can either watch a stream video or download the commercials. The aim here is simple: to bring more people to polling stations, thus decrease chances of the far left or far right extremist parties (especially the Communists), as in the Czech rep. we do have a proportional voting system (the difference between a proportional and "majority rule" voting system is described here). (A proportional voting system means that political parties with relatively higher elector´s attendance disciplin could score better results if the overall attendance is low).
I can only tell you this - visite the site, give it a try, read through the case story behind this unique project, and have a look at the spots. You´ll laugh A LOT. I did. My sister did, and also my family to whom I showed the site too :) You can even place your own comment under each commercial. Maybe you´ll then see things differently, maybe not, but one thing is clear - this idea is a good one. In fact it´s the first proffesional atempt to make the elections a bit more sexier to the undecided and younger voters. Pity it has not received any airing time in the massmedia thus far (beside the local music station Ocko). It´s going to be aired in cinemas across the country though.
So what do you guys think? I´m quite looking forward to your opinions about this one :o)
"Rozhodnete to. On 2. and 3. June 2006 @ your polling station." ;-)
TG
