<Tr> <Td> <Ul> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> </Ul> </Td> </Tr> <Ul> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> </Ul> <P> A political party platform or program is a formal set of principle goals which are supported by a political party or individual candidate, in order to appeal to the general public, for the ultimate purpose of garnering the general public's support and votes about complicated topics or issues . "Plank" is the term often given to the components of the political platform--the opinions and viewpoints about individual topics, as held by a party, person, or organization . The word "plank" depicts a component of an overall political platform, as a metaphorical reference to a basic stage made out of boards or planks of wood . The metaphor can return to its literal origin when public speaking or debates are actually held upon a physical platform . </P> <P> A party platform is sometimes referred to as a manifesto or a political platform . Across the Western world, political parties are highly likely to fulfill their election promises . </P>

What is the principal objective of a political party