At the last Bersih rally on November 10 2007,over 40,000 people took to the streets demanding free and fair elections. The rally organised by the Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih) was described as a great success.

However after almost four years we are yet to see substantial changes to our electoral system towards that end.

The numerous by-elections and the recent Sarawak State elections will bear testimony to the failure of the Election Commission (EC) to meet the demands of the people.

The leaders of the election watchdog itself were denied entry to observe the Sarawak elections which can be seen as an extreme example of impartiality of the EC.

Bersih's eight demands

• A thorough review of the electoral roll
• Reforms to the postal balloting process
• Marking voters who have cast their ballots with indelible ink
• A minimum 21 day campaign period
• Equitable access to media by participating parties
• Strengthen institutions which enforces election laws
• Eradicating electoral bribery
• Putting a stop to dirty politics.

These demands appear to be very reasonable and just. So why this reluctance by the EC and the BN government to heed their call which reflects the sentiment of the vast majority of Malaysians?

It appears that the government has not learnt from the past Bersih rally of 2007.

It has yet to address the eight demands made through proper dialogue. It appears to making the same mistake as it did in 2007 when it adopted a confrontational attitude towards the people's march, which caused the huge losses in the elections that followed five months later.

Today we are again at the brink of another general election, described by many as the most hotly contested ever in the country, and the governments is still adopting the same confrontational stance as before, little realising that it may cause them a bigger defeat if does not change to accommodate the demands of the people.

The coming 13th GE is a defining one for the BN, PR and most importantly the people as it may be the turning point in the history of the nation.

It is of utmost importance that this all important election be conducted in a manner that will reflect the true wishes of the people in selecting their government for the next five years.

The only way is to ensure that the election is free and fair, the basic pre-requisite for a true democracy.

In an era of civility and technological sophistication especially in the field of communications, there is indeed no necessity for ceramahs, mass rallies and street demonstrations as they are not only a waste of money and time but carries certain risks to the security of the people.

However the blatant denial of the media and other facilities to the opposition makes such demonstrations a necessity to put their policies to the people.

How are the people who disagree with the government going to reach out to the people when they are not given free access to the media?

The aims of Bersih 2.0 are to highlight the need for meaningful electoral reform and petition the Agong to step in on the matter as the EC and the government turned a deaf ear to their plea.

This could have been done through the mass electronic and print media if only they were given the opportunity to do so thus making rallies unnecessary.

As they have no free access to such means of communication what other choice do they have other than street demonstrations.

If this is done in a peaceful and civil manner there is no reason for the government to stop them, in fact it would be unjust to do so.

How else can they voice out their displeasure of the unfairness in the electoral system?

It would be wise for the EC and the government to adopt a more cordial attitude in dealing with those who disagree with them. They must learn to accommodate dissent as it is going to be the way forward with a more literate, mature and discerning populace.

Confronting the people with threats of arrests and violence will only lead to its premature political demise.