I refer to the Malaysiakini report; Caretaker gov’t; Lim wants EC meeting . The opposition leader in Parliament will only waste his time if he wants the Election Commission to insist that the present government resign from office and a caretaker government take over during election time.

We must understand that the EC - just like the judiciary - is beholden to the government for funds and are not free to make any decisions which go against government interests. Mind you, the coming polls are crucial and the present regime will use all the available resources to win big.

Any skeletons in the closets of either ruling or opposition candidates are fair game and those who stand for high office must watch their backs as the sins of the past will be exposed to make them lose in the coming polls.

The press should give equal space to both parties to air their views in order for the public to gauge the candidates’ leadership qualities to run for office. The ruling parties’ candidates should not be allowed to make promises to improve infrastructure or dish out ‘goodies’ to the public as this is a form of bribery to win votes.

A limit should also be imposed by the authorities on elections expenses in order to give candidates from both sides an even chance of winning. Unfortunately, the opposite is happening here with the ruling parties using both the media and government machinery to crush the opposition.

Money politics and ‘phantom voters’ are sure to make an appearance to help the BN candidates win hotly-contested seats. This is done openly without any action taken against them. I suppose all the tricks of 2004 polls will be used by BN in the coming polls to retain their seats.

A democracy is not only about having elections every five years. Those elected are supposed to lead a clean life and use their office to improve the lot of the common people rather than lining their own pockets. They are accountable for their misdeeds and should not tell lies or tall tales if they are caught out. Congenital liars should not be elected to high office.

With all the hurdles stacked against them, this coming general election will be a boon for the opposition as the present scandal-ridden government will not be able to defend their poor record of governance.

The income from our country’s natural assets are more than enough to improve the lot of the poor and downtrodden if distributed equally among all citizens. In order to be a developed and modern nation, our leaders should be well-educated and dynamic.

It’s time to throw out corrupt incumbents from office if we want to improve our lot in the coming years.