Editorial: Our collective responsibility

Elections are more than just box ticking. Photo/ File

With the mugs of wannabe politicians popping up across town this week there is now no escaping election season.

People have a little less than two months to decide where their orange pen will fall on the ballot paper as we collectively select who we want to run this country - and represent our electorates - on our behalf.

But it is important to remember that the election is more than an exercise in box ticking once every three years.

We all have a different but equally important role to play to ensure the whole system functions as best it can.

The Chronicle this week began planning how we will cover the election at a local level with some exciting things we want try both in digital and print.

Our role over the next eight weeks is to do our best to cut to the nub of the issues and get candidates out from behind endless inane party slogans.

For their part politicians need to make every effort to understand the issues in their electorate.

Local candidates should remember they are standing to represent the electorate, not just their party.

It would be great to see our potential MPs stepping out their comfort zone.

Away from the business breakfasts, the rallies in front of the party faithful, the turning up at events for the sake of being seen and instead actively seeking to understand communities and voters that aren't necessarily theirs.

Voters have responsibilities too, to be informed as they can be, to take the time to understand the options and the implications before they wander into the polling booth.

If we are all active rather than passive participants, if we all play our part, the better chance we will have of electing a Parliament that accurately reflects the needs and wants of us all.