Author's Note: Ten chapters in, thank you to everyone sticking with this so far!

We move closer to the election and whilst we all know the outcome, I wanted to show how Panem arrived at that point, so we have insights into the election debate from several different perspectives.

….

Debate

This was it. The final large-scale event before the election in a week's time. The main event before the main event. The interviews three nights previously had gone well and with Halley's last-minute assistance, everything looked as it should. Whilst the setting was being staged, the victor raised a concern that it all looked eerily like the interviews during the Hunger Games. She was right, as Halley usually was, and in the hour beforehand, the entire set was overhauled. Plutarch never thought he would hear himself telling people to make somewhere look more like District Thirteen, but such was this new world.

The set for the debate had no such issue. Each candidate would stand at an allocated podium throughout, and answer questions read by Olivia Augustine, who once again had proven her worth. But tonight would be the biggest test. For her, for the candidates and for the elections committee. The debate promised the opportunity for replies and rebuttals from the candidates and Plutarch knew that some of the responses could turn personal and illustrate vast divides amongst the candidates. Differences of opinion were of course to be accepted, but he could only hope that some of the more combative candidates did not instigate a full-blown argument on live television, wasting valuable minutes and costing everyone voters.

He had set the stage, the candidates were to be reminded of the rules and all he could do was sit back and watch. The importance of this evening could not be underestimated. It may well determine the result of the election and influence the population's opinions on democracy as a concept. Plutarch liked to be in control, and he had organised and influenced everything he could, but the candidates and their ideas were off-limits.

….

Halley decided she would watch the debate at Beetee's side. Plutarch was running around, and she had done her bit. Her friend as ever, would be at the helm of the broadcasting technology and the data they were receiving on viewership. She would keep him company for the duration of the broadcast.

Halley had put plenty of thought into her choices. Her opinions were of course unwanted due to her role on the elections committee but that did not mean that she would not cast her vote. Her and Beetee were to begin election day at home in Three and along with their Mayor, were due to cast the first votes. Their votes would be secret, as would everybody's, but she had made her decisions and she knew Beetee had made his.

Kersey Paylor was the obvious first preference. Even if the pair weren't already friends, she would have chosen her all the same. Lucinda had won her second-place preference, coming in at the last minute, but with eminently sensible ideas and an agreeable manner on the council. Her third preference was causing her trouble. In all honesty, she doubted it would be needed, but the public was being told to rank three candidates as preferences and she should do the same, regardless of what she could sense from public opinion.

Colonel Lon and General Montgomery were obviously out of the picture, leaving a choice between Ophelia Magnusson and General Silver. Both had clear strengths but also raised some concerns. Halley would use the debate to help make that choice, but she knew what was likely to influence her vote the most. Her personal advancement, her political prospects were irrelevant, but her personal safety and that of the other victors was not. Who she felt she could trust most with their safety and security would ultimately win her over.

….

For the miners in District One, this was the first time they had had their voices heard. They were not ignored, no longer the forgotten, unwanted underbelly of their home. One of their own was their district's council representative, their efforts over the years were being recognised and their needs were being discussed.

Their work, years of hard, often dangerous graft, passed down the generations was being lauded. They had been the providers of District One and people across Panem now knew about them, they knew what luxury had really meant.

Election candidates had travelled to One, prioritised speaking to them and were now discussing their hopes for better lives for them all on the national stage and some of them seemed credible. At first, it was difficult to accept that they would share common ground with people from Eight and Five, and the continued existence of District Thirteen had been a complete surprise for most, but they now had the chance to see beyond their daily work. Miners in One were like those in Six and Twelve, they worked long hours like Eight's labourers and understood the monotony of a regimented life, almost like Thirteen. The same work, the same hours, the same conditions all day for six days per week.

They were like-minded as a group, shared experiences will do that, but it was not a hive mind. They would vote for different people, there were multiple viable candidates after all and for the miners, it was not a foregone conclusion. It would come down to who they would put their faith in the most. They had been promised in the debate safer working conditions, increased pay but also a route out, a chance to go somewhere different and learn new skills, have another job. They would vote for who they thought could best deliver, according to their own priorities.

….

Commander Hadrian had been able to watch the debate in peace. He had sent men out to watch Colonel Lon's supporters but thankfully there had been no trouble. His poor performance had obviously dampened his supporters' spirits.

Hadrian had just come off a call with Enobaria who was looking forward to returning home, having made it clear that national politics was not the job for her. They shared their relief that Colonel Lon's popularity was dwindling, and the victor had admitted that whilst the council were avoiding showing support for particular candidates, there was relief that Colonel Lon was almost certainly not going to win in any territory.

There were questions that Commander Hadrian had to admit that the Colonel answered well. He was knowledgeable about defence, about how Two's expertise could be used constructively, and interestingly, how technology could be better utilised across the districts. But otherwise, his ideas were simply unpopular. Any hint that links to the former administration would be on the cards would not win a single vote in Eight, Eleven or Twelve and there were plenty of hints. His insistence that peacekeepers would be immune from judicial proceedings and that any trials would be strictly limited in scope obviously angered all those who had felt injustice at the hands of peacekeepers and representatives of the old order.

The man believed in his own hubris and seemed to enjoy trying to land blows at the credentials of the other candidates. But it simply did not work. Deeming both Kersey Paylor and Lucinda Abano, the clear front runners in any of the polling, as unsuitable to lead was seen as an insult to much of the district population. Both women were leaders in their own right, having taken on responsibilities at home and now on the Council of Representatives. They had proven reliable, determined, and relatable, qualities Colonel Lon could only hope to have. His attacks on Thirteen's Generals, however, Commander Hadrian could live with. He could not trust or take to either of them. Montgomery seemed to attract confrontation and that was the last thing, other than Colonel Lon himself, that Panem needed as its leader. General Silver, he just could not trust. He seemed to take the presidency for granted and appeared to think that he somehow deserved the role and that would not sit well in Two. Hard work, strength and resourcefulness reaped rewards across the working people of Two and in the Two Commander Hadrian was striving to build. Connections to people only known by Thirteen would not impress.

Trust had to be earned and leaders needed to work hard to gain that trust. Commander Hadrian had seen for himself just how difficult it was for Lyme to integrate herself into the inter-district rebel leadership and how she persevered until she had proven her worth and skill. He too was determined to keep the trust he was building with the people in Two.

He watched the debate with keen interest, picking up on what the candidates did well and what they were less impressive at. Public speaking was not his forte, but he knew that in this newly emerging politics, he would have to be seen with the people, speaking to and with them, if he wished to continue as their leader.

As Two's leader, at least until the district elections that were being promised by the majority of the candidates, he would need to work with the new president. So, his choice of leader was also motivated by who he thought he could work with and form a positive relationship with. It could not just be all about the politics, although their ideas and how he thought they might treat Two was a primary concern.

He took notes in his office and hoped there would be a repeat of the broadcast the next afternoon for he was determined to hear all the ideas thoroughly. Commander Hadrian had decided that he could not work with the male candidates on a personal level, so he was left to analyse the words of the women, eager to make the right choice for Two.

….

Life moved quickly in District Four. They had stability, an effective leader and progress was being made. Increased farming was a new priority, the homes and buildings that were damaged were being swiftly rebuilt from the rubble that was left and life was picking back up.

They knew they were lucky. The district had been preparing for war for years and had a system ready to emerge from whatever damage was caused. But by the time they were fully free, most of the other districts were either in open revolt or on their way there. Thus, the heat was off District Four, the peacekeepers and Capitol Guard were distracted, and Snow's administration had deemed Four an early loss. They had been free to help the other districts and fix their own interests.

Its people had time to watch and engage with the debate, the space to listen to and think about the ideas that were being presented to them and would take their decision seriously. Many of the candidates had some support in Four and whilst Kersey Paylor was the likely frontrunner, there was plenty of support for Lucinda Abano with the rest of the votes likely to be split between the Capitol's Ophelia Magnusson and Thirteen's General Silver. Colonel Lon had known better than to attempt to attract support in Four, with them being a key instigator in the rebellion, and it seemed that General Montgomery had written off the district as a source of voters too.

Turnout was likely to be high and the debate was being keenly shown in public places. They had worked and fought to achieve some form of democracy and they were going to respect the work and sacrifices of those who had been trying to achieve this for years.

People were keen to hear the candidates' ideas for districts where there needed to be changes in their industries. Fishing was depleted and a full recovery was not likely for some years, so they wanted to hear about diversifying and expanding on what their district could produce. Lucinda's ideas were therefore proving popular with people having already signed up to assist in Twelve when called for, to train in Five, and to move further north in their district to join the growing farming and agricultural industry.

But Paylor's promises of district elections by the end of the year and elections for a legislative body were immediately popular. Four was a free-spirited district and had been striving to work independently of the Capitol for as long as they could. Having the ability to truly run their home in the way they wanted and for Four to be heard on the national stage was entirely appealing.

There was a sense of relief that education seemed to be a priority for many of the candidates. Four had always wanted more for its children. There were disputes as to the age that compulsory schooling would end, with Ophelia supporting a later finish and the district-born candidates supporting an earlier start to working life. People in Four held different views on these matters too, largely depending on where they had worked themselves, but this was not a debate that would split the district down the middle. They would make their own decisions and work it out for themselves. The eventual election winner would have to do the same.

Ultimately, when it mattered, the people of District Four would unite. They would not take to the streets if their own favoured candidate did not win whilst their neighbour's did. They would not start a dispute with another district because their overall winner did not take the presidency. District Four would come together for itself. They would work together and with the new president to make the best out of any outcome for their own people. It is what they and their leaders had done for years, and it would not change now.

….

Nine's representative on the council was more concerned with how many people would tune in to the debate rather than the ideas discussed. For her, the most preferable candidates held many similar ideas, and she was realistic and pragmatic as to the future. Many of their proposals would alter as they picked a cabinet and were influenced by new names and faces in the political landscape.

It was more important that people in Nine actually watched. The candidates were aware of widespread apathy in Nine's villages and several of them were due to make a visit in the run-up to election day, but the debate would be a test. Local leaders had made sure that every village had somewhere accessible to watch, and with many people out of work, actually tuning in would require minimal effort, less effort than going to see one of the candidates at an event in any case.

But people did not relate to the candidates. None of them was from a farming or agricultural background. A rogue military leader from Two, Generals from Thirteen and a Capitol-born candidate were not picking up any traction at all. Kersey Paylor and Lucinda Abano had captured the interests of those who were engaged, but many of the field labourers simply saw an urban factory worker and a woman with a privileged office job. None of them knew what it was like standing in the sun all day, working the fields, and neither of them had lived in small, rural communities where local ties meant everything.

Even the centre of Nine had been alien to the villagers. It was a place they visited for reapings, occasional market days and the handing down of the worst punishments. So, considering Panem as a whole and making a national decision was unthinkable, especially when their lives still revolved around what was left of their villages.

Literacy rates were low, so election literature had barely been received at all and people only came across the election when they happened to pass by one of the public screens or visit a neighbour who still had a television. When they did tune in and found nobody addressing their concerns, they tuned out.

The candidates were not focussing on rural communities and attention had been turned to securing international aid to supply food, so planting and harvesting on Panem's soil had been presented as a secondary concern. They shared Paylor's views on safe work and the need for upgraded, efficient and safe machinery but they knew that the urban cities and factories would be supplied first.

Many felt like there was nothing to vote for and when they saw Capitol figures on television as some of the faces of the election, it made people even less keen. Attempts had been made by local leaders and the council to engage with rural communities but so far it had not been particularly successful. But their leaders and council representative hoped they would give the debate a try, they did not want to start a new chapter with the people who were ignored under the old system still feeling left behind.

….

The days were long in District Six and the debate was another task for Poppy to get through. She had not slept well for the best part of twenty-two years so physical fatigue was not yet a problem but working on solutions to many of her home's most pressing issues was mentally draining. She had sent her team home, knowing they were eager to watch the debate, so she remained in her office with Linden at her side.

Kersey Paylor had her first preference vote, but Poppy was still interested in her ideas and how she could envisage them working in Six. Paylor had been speaking of shared priorities and Poppy wanted to be sure that all her mingling in the Capitol had not led her astray from her commitments. Like Halley, Lucinda Abano had her second preference vote, but she too was concerned about the third choice. Her knowledge of Six's most pressing needs was leading her to conclude that Ophelia's ideas would suit them best, but she was questioning whether Six's needs and its painful past would be served by her voting for a candidate from the Capitol.

For his part, Linden had already made up his mind. He could not bring himself to vote for a Capitol candidate, but he knew that Poppy was always more forgiving. He wondered how many others, and not just his fellow survivors, thought the same and how long geography and district origin would affect people's voting choices. Surely they, and he, would have to move beyond that at some point.

But both would listen keenly to the ideas of the candidates and how they addressed the issues each other raised. Poppy was particularly keen to hear about health reforms and was pleased that an entire section of the debate was allocated to it. All the candidates promised improvements, more access to facilities and doctors, improved treatments and better outcomes, but only some of them acknowledged the truly dire state of affairs right now and just how much progress they would have to make. She had a district with factory doctors and two buildings that tried to call themselves hospitals, women who delivered babies in unsanitary homes and people sharing herbal remedies. Kersey Paylor, coming from a similar situation in Eight was able to demonstrate that she knew this best and Poppy felt reassured.

She was interested in Lucinda's ideas about industry distribution, skill-sharing, and work allocation and she hoped that the idea would remain, whoever was in charge and Ophelia's promotion of education in academic and technical subjects caught Poppy's interest. There would definitely be space for technical education and engineering in District Six.

General Silver gave the strongest responses on defence, collaboration with foreign nations and how it could be used to Panem's advantage. He had impressive military knowledge and certainly knew the most about the world beyond Panem and there was a lot to say for that. But she had kept Beetee's early warning to her and Halley in mind.

There were some shocking responses from those who had become the usual suspects for such matters. Colonel Lon refused to promise elections for district leaders, something every other candidate was at pains to do, even if their methods and timescales differed. General Montgomery, whilst clearly keen to promote wider district interests and equality, still appeared to be speaking about consequences for all Capitol citizens and those with any association to the old regime and from her conversations with Halley, he still included victors in that grouping.

It was clear from the ideas of all the candidates that Panem has a long way to go to move on from the state it had become, and they all had different plans. But for the first time in her lifetime, she had a say, District Six had its say and that was a sign of improvement. Everyone would have to trust each other with their votes, to make the best choice in the interests of the country.