CITIZENS in the United States (USA) are casting ballots today for Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton and Republican candidate Donald Trump. When the votes are counted, who gets the minimum required 270 Electoral College votes (viz. votes allotted to each state) will be President, come January 2017. This president would also be the Commander-in-Chief of the world’s most powerful military.

In this media age, when developments are being watched around the world in real time, this election is arguably the most contentious. The insults being hurled by the candidates at each other and at the supporters of their rivals are astounding.

In September, Clinton said half of Trump’s supporters can be placed in a “basket of deplorables” –- a statement which she later withdrew in the face of public consternation.

Trump has used name-calling as a technique to floor his Republican challengers, and has assigned his Democratic rival the name “crooked Hillary.” In the last presidential debate he referred to her as a “nasty woman”, and has chalked up a reputation in the campaign for demeaning whole groups of people: calling Mexicans rapists and violent criminals; insulting the Muslim community, and demeaning women.

A campaign wherein both candidates — given their biography — have made history has denigrated into polarising politics, with important issues being blurred, not attended to, or hardly given coverage. The media, which to some extent were more focused on ratings and sales, have allowed for the dumbing down, candidates not being held to account, and serious issues being sidelined.

Around the world, governments and the people have tuned in with trepidation and anticipation of what it would be like should their preferred candidate not win. The U.S is considered the most powerful nation on earth, and its president the leader of the free world and the most powerful politician.

This country not only sets the standard for what is considered a perfect society, but has pushed for other societies to emulate its system of governance as the gold standard. Consequently, people have come to accept not only America giving leadership to the world, but also leading by example.

In the instance where exemplary conduct is not seen, it emboldens ruthless, discriminatory and uncouth leadership. The degeneracy into name-calling and insulting people which have come to mar elections in recent times in this country has been condemned by citizens. Given the American experience, it would be surprising if those who engaged in such practice are not now feeling more emboldened.

The Iran state-owned television, which aired two of the three presidential debates, made political leverage of them. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei told Iranians the U.S democracy would not serve them well, pointing out that comments by Clinton and Trump during the debates “are sufficient for the annihilation of the reputation of the United States.”

The integrity of the election is also being brought into question with accusations by Trump and some Republicans that the system is “rigged.” The U.S. Government has, accordingly, invited international organisations to observe the process. It is the first time that the Organization of American States (OAS) is fielding an Observer Mission in the USA, although since 2002 the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE/ODIHR) has been observing U.S elections.

Even the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), an organisation presented to the world as the paragon ofintelligence-gathering, has not escaped ensnarement, which will impact its image and integrity in the eyes of the world. Allegations that Russia is engaging in espionage to influence the election has implications for perception of Vladimir Putin’s global power and influence, given that such act is usually felt to happen to lesser developed countries.

Both candidates have the highest negatives since polling on favourability of candidates has begun. Neither is liked by party supporters and society. The stakes in this election couldn’t be higher. Whoever wins has got to go to work to unite that society and repair the country’s image in the eyes of the world. It can only be hoped that, after today, the U.S can continue to offer the world what Ronald Reagan was wont to refer to as “that shining city on the hill.”