We’re miles away from key electoral reforms

Any democrat would agree that elections must not only be free and fair but must also be widely seen to be that way. An election does not become credible because its managers and those they declare as victors say it is; but because it has been conducted in accordance with the regulations and ideals of electoral impartiality. Similarly, election results cannot be doubted simply because those declared losers reject them. Evidence of fraud and manipulation must be the basis upon which any election result is invalidated.

Having actively participated in elections since 1997, I have sadly witnessed how piecemeal, spur of the moment and expedient reforms to our electoral system have culminated to the situation we find ourselves in today; where the more things change, the more they remain the same. After several attempts at electoral reform, we are still miles away from the threshold of fairness envisaged in a progressive democracy. We appear to be actualising the scepticism expressed by some communist ideologists that it is not those who vote but those who count and manage the vote who matter.