With just days remaining before polling day, candidates across the country have entered the final and most intense phase of their election campaigns, marked by packed rallies, last-minute policy pitches and renewed appeals to undecided voters. The final week is widely regarded as decisive, offering contenders a final opportunity to consolidate support, energise their bases and shape the narrative before voters head to the ballot box.
Across major towns and rural constituencies alike, campaign schedules have become noticeably tighter. Leading candidates are criss-crossing multiple regions each day, holding rallies, engaging local leaders and participating in media interviews aimed at reinforcing their core messages. Campaign teams say the focus has shifted from broad policy outlines to targeted messaging that speaks directly to voters’ immediate concerns, including the cost of living, employment, public service delivery and governance.
Political analysts note that turnout mobilisation has become a top priority during this closing stretch. While earlier weeks were largely about visibility and agenda-setting, the final days are about ensuring supporters actually vote. Candidates are urging their followers to turn out early, remain peaceful and safeguard their votes, while campaign volunteers intensify door-to-door outreach and grassroots engagement.
The incumbent and major opposition figures have both sought to project confidence as they wrap up their nationwide tours. High-profile rallies have drawn large crowds, often accompanied by music, cultural performances and endorsements from influential local figures. For smaller parties and independent candidates, the final week has been used to sharpen their distinct identities, emphasising reformist credentials or community-based agendas in an effort to break through the dominance of established political players.
Media engagement has also increased significantly. Candidates are using radio talk shows, televised debates and digital platforms to reach voters who may not attend rallies. Social media, in particular, has become a crucial battleground, with campaign teams pushing short videos, manifestos and testimonials designed to go viral and resonate with younger voters. However, authorities and election observers have urged restraint, warning against misinformation, inflammatory rhetoric and premature claims of victory.
Security agencies have heightened their presence in several areas as campaign activities peak. The police have reiterated their commitment to maintaining law and order, while reminding candidates and supporters to adhere to campaign guidelines and public order regulations. In previous elections, the final days have sometimes been marred by isolated incidents of violence or confrontation, making calm and discipline a key concern for both authorities and civil society groups.
Religious leaders, cultural institutions and civil society organisations have used the final campaign week to call for peaceful participation and acceptance of election outcomes. They have appealed to candidates to prioritise national unity over political rivalry and to address disputes through legal and institutional channels rather than through the streets.
For many voters, the final week offers a chance to compare promises, assess track records and decide which candidates best reflect their aspirations. Some remain undecided, weighing economic realities against political loyalties, while others say they are waiting to hear concrete plans rather than rhetoric.
As the campaign clock ticks down, expectations are high and tensions inevitably rise. Yet observers argue that the manner in which candidates conduct themselves in these final days will be as important as the results themselves. A peaceful, issue-focused conclusion to the campaigns, they say, would not only strengthen public confidence in the electoral process but also set a constructive tone for the post-election period, regardless of the outcome.