Okay, here's an idea.
The head of state involved turns out to have mistresses of more than one species.
One of his human mistresses finds out and, disgusted by his actions, goes public with it. Story breaks right before election day.
Trying to steal the spotlight, it turns out that the main opposition leader also turns out to have an affair of some kind. An also-ran is elected head of state. He turns out to be grossly incompetent.
The head of state involved turns out to have mistresses of more than one species.
One of his human mistresses finds out and, disgusted by his actions, goes public with it. Story breaks right before election day.
Trying to steal the spotlight, it turns out that the main opposition leader also turns out to have an affair of some kind. An also-ran is elected head of state. He turns out to be grossly incompetent.