WILLEMSTAD – The political party MFK only ramped up its online campaign strategy in the final months leading up to the elections, according to research conducted by Rachelle Laclé, founder of the website Korsoutavota.com. Laclé noted that the party was initially inactive on social media, only increasing its presence in March.
“Social media engagement was slow at first, but later became a key part of their strategy,” Laclé explained. While other parties, such as PAR, established their digital presence early, MFK only started posting frequent updates on platforms like Facebook and TikTok closer to election day.
A Staggered Campaign Approach
Laclé analyzed party platforms and election campaigns to better inform voters. She observed that MFK initially focused on physical events and neighborhood visits before reinforcing its digital strategy in March. The party also began using advertisements in both Dutch and English, something other parties did not do.
“It was a staggered campaign,” Laclé said. “First, they focused on physical visibility, then came a strong push on social media.”
In addition to increasing its online presence, MFK engaged in targeted promotions for entrepreneurs, distributing branded merchandise such as hats in downtown Willemstad. The party also hosted a special event for business owners in Punda and Pietermaai, which Laclé believes was an effort to attract entrepreneurs and investors. The decision to run ads in multiple languages may have been part of this strategy.
Challenges in Accessing Party Platforms
Gathering official party platforms was one of the biggest challenges Laclé faced. She began her research in February, right after the primary election results, and quickly found that many parties did not make their programs publicly available.
She searched social media, checked party websites, and sent repeated emails. When she received no response, she personally visited party headquarters to request the documents. “Some parties were quick and transparent, but others didn’t respond at all,” Laclé stated. Smaller and newer parties were particularly difficult to reach.
MFK was the only party from which she was ultimately unable to obtain a party platform, despite multiple attempts. “I went to their headquarters three or four times, but never got a copy,” she said. She believes MFK prioritized direct voter engagement over providing detailed policy information.
Examining Representation and Voter Perception
Beyond analyzing party platforms, Laclé also focused on candidate representation, particularly women’s presence on electoral lists, and the background of candidates. However, not all parties disclosed this information.
“With some parties, I could see educational backgrounds and work experience for every candidate, but with others, that information remained unknown,” she said. She also conducted a voter survey on her website, examining how campaign rhetoric and policy proposals influenced voter behavior.
Post-Election Analysis and Political Transparency
After the elections, Laclé plans to continue analyzing the results and monitoring the parliamentary process. “The goal is not just to provide election information but also to track government performance,” she emphasized.
She aims to study:
Seat shifts within districts and parties
Long-term voting behavior trends
How election campaigns influenced the final results
“Transparency is crucial—not just during elections but throughout the political decision-making process,” Laclé concluded.
