Weird Campaign Promises Made By Candidates Before Polls To Win Over Votes Will Leave You In Utter Shock!

Political campaigns are often characterized by promises and pledges made by candidates to win over voters. While many of these promises are grounded in policy proposals and public interests, some politicians have made bizarre and eccentric pledges that capture the attention of the public and media alike.

From the amusing to the downright surreal, these promises offer a glimpse into the colorful world of election campaigns across the globe. This year Lok Sabha elections 2024 will begin from 19 April and continue till 1 June in India. Through this post, let us take a closer look at some of the weirdest promises made by politicians during polls from various countries.

Weird Campaign Promises Made By Candidates Before Polls To Win Over Votes Will Leave You In Utter Shock

1. Free Beer for Everyone
In the Czech Republic, during the 2017 parliamentary elections, a small brewery owner named Tomas Vymazal ran as an independent candidate with a rather unique promise: free beer for everyone. Vymazal's campaign slogan, "A Beer in Every Hand," garnered attention and amused voters, although it's unclear how serious his offer was. While it may have seemed like a gimmick, it certainly made him stand out in a crowded field of candidates.

2. A Cow for Every Family
In India, where agriculture is a significant part of the economy, politicians have been known to make extravagant promises to rural voters. During the 2019 general elections, a candidate from the state of Madhya Pradesh promised to provide a cow to every family in his constituency if elected. The promise was met with skepticism and criticism from opponents, who questioned the feasibility and practicality of such a proposal. Nevertheless, it highlighted the importance of addressing agricultural issues in election campaigns.

3. Legalize Marijuana and UFO Disclosure
During the 2020 presidential campaign in the United States, several lesser-known candidates made headlines with their unconventional promises. One candidate, who ran under the pseudonym "Vermin Supreme," vowed to legalize marijuana and promised free ponies for all Americans. Another candidate, Andrew Yang, pledged to disclose government information about UFOs if elected. While these promises may have been intended to inject humor into the campaign, they also raised serious questions about the role of fringe candidates in the electoral process.

4. Banishing Rats with a Magic Flute
In the Philippines, where politics can be colorful and contentious, candidates have been known to make grandiose promises to win votes. During the 2016 presidential campaign, one candidate, Mar Roxas, promised to rid the country of rats using a magic flute. Roxas's pledge, which was met with both amusement and skepticism, highlighted the importance of addressing public health and sanitation issues in the country.

5. Time Travel and Teleportation
In New Zealand, during the 2011 general elections, a candidate from the Future New Zealand Party made headlines with his promise to develop time travel and teleportation technology if elected. The candidate, who ran under the name "The Wizard of New Zealand," captured the public's imagination with his outlandish proposal. While his campaign was not successful, it sparked debate about the role of science and technology in shaping the future of the country.

6. 822 Houses Per Day
Zimbabwe's Zanu-PF, a political party, in its 2018 national election manifesto, ambitiously promised to construct 1.5 million houses over five years. When the numbers were broken down, it meant that this goal would require building about 822 houses daily to meet their target, which is practically impossible to achieve.

7. Building a Space Elevator
In Japan, where innovation and technology are highly valued, politicians have made bold promises to push the boundaries of scientific advancement. During the 2009 general elections, a candidate from the Space Party pledged to build a space elevator that would transport people and goods into orbit. While the proposal may have seemed far-fetched, it reflected the country's ambition to lead in space exploration and innovation.

8. Brandy and Cash for Votes
In the 2019 elections, A.M. Sheik Davood, an independent candidate from the Tiruppur Lok Sabha constituency in Tamil Nadu, took an unconventional approach by promising 10 liters of brandy for "medicinal usage" each month to voters if elected. Furthermore, he pledged to give every family in the constituency Rs 25,000 monthly.

9. Will Not Stop Child Marriages
In 2018, Shobha Chauhan, a BJP candidate from Sojat during the Rajasthan assembly elections, faced backlash after a video surfaced of her assuring voters from a specific community that she would ensure police do not stop child marriages in the area. The notice was issued to her for violation of the model code of conduct (MCC).