Local grievances and resentments were carefully catalogued by cadres, and detailed information was harvested on each potential supporter or recruit for later use.

The set up networks of activists in every county charged with visiting every potential supporter in a specified neighborhood, especially in the critical last days before the election.

Another minister said that the focus on post-election negotiations risked alienating potential supporters.

Yet it isn't building a broad base of support, welcoming ideas or firing up potential supporters to act as envoys in person and online.

He resigned, then unresigned and at a stroke deprived thousands of potential supporters of a reason to trust him.