LETTER | In any election, independent candidates could offer great alternative to voters who fail to see the bright light offered by any of the existing or traditional political parties in the country.

Some people might have bad perception towards independent candidates but as time changes, the people's negative perception towards independent candidates has started to change.

People begin to see the important role which independent candidate can play on the country's political stage and for the development of the nation.

Having independent candidates which do not attach themselves to any single political party or to being subjected to orders from any single political leader could attract young and undecided voters to come forward to exercise their right to vote during an election.

Why do independent candidates offer a great alternative to us? To put things in a nutshell, it is because independent candidates does not have ties to any existing or traditional political party group and as such they are more flexible in a way that they are able to act for the benefit and interest of their constituents.

Having independent candidates also gives voters a wider and possibly more credible alternative as compared to existing or traditional political parties. A wider choice will help fight voter apathy.

People might have become fed up with all the old faces who have been running the political scene in the country. Having new independent candidates could also be useful when people feel they are disengaged from the existing political process, and that the existing government has become stagnant.

Having fresh independent candidates is also crucial for people who feel that existing politics has little to do with their local community development or progress, and as such independent candidates could provide a genuine alternative that can stand for any important or relevant issue.

Most important to remember is that having independent candidates could also attract people to to come forward and exercise their vote and become part of the country democratic process in determining the country's future.

This is relevant especially to people who don’t have any trust or belief in any of the existing or traditional political parties in the country.

Though it is highly impossible for independent candidates to form any single government, they could at least provide a good check and balance on any of the dominant political parties which manage to win the election and form the government.

The time has come for our society to have a different perception towards independent candidates. Independent candidates should be viewed in a different context.

Independent candidates should be given a chance to prove themselves and be allowed to serve the public, protect the public's interests and supervise the administration of the country.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.