DEMOCRACY means maximum participation of citizens in the election process. We have an issue in Malaysia as voter registration is not compulsory as in many countries. Even those who are registered do not caste their votes. Voter turnout is at an average of 60 to 70%.

A government elected by a majority of its citizens can only come about by making voting compulsory or prescribing a penalty for failure to register – which seems to be a remote possibility in Malaysia. So we can only fall back on education on the importance of voting.

The process of registering voters must be carried out aggresively. There should not be complaints that deliberate attempts are made not to distribute forms to the relevant parties. Abuses or attempts to cheat or duplicate can be detected with a sophisticated system in place. Any attempt to prevent people from registering by any means is against democracy.

A maximum number of voters during a general election means optimum democracy at work.

Source: The Sun – July 16, 2010