Dear Editor,
I recently witnessed a heated debate on the pluses and minuses of democracy. The prevailing consensus from that debate seemed to have been that once a government was holding periodic general elections when they were due, democracy had been achieved and was being practised. Editor, I did not consider it prudent to join in the debate, hence I am taking refuge in this medium.
First of all, I agree that the conduct of periodic general elections is an important ingredient in the democratic process, but I must add that those elections have to appear to have been conducted in a free and fair manner.
Editor, I believe that the other basic fibres of a democracy include freedom of the press; freedom to associate; freedom to organize institutions such as churches, trade unions and associations; freedom to express opinions and points of view without fear of possible repercussions; and the existing government has to show recognition of the peculiarities and sensibilities of particular communities.
Of course, my list can never be exhaustive, but let me reiterate that a government’s democratic practices can be easily gauged by the complaints and grievances that are aired within a society itself, or are referred to the courts or regional and international organizations for resolution.
Yours faithfully,
Morris Wilson
