Letter to President 2

Dear Mr. President,

My email to you dated 2^nd April, 2006 was never acknowledged, but from the actions of some government officials it is obvious that it was received in your office.

Today, I must acknowledge the usefulness of reforms introduced by you in the last election and would like to suggest the following additional reforms for the next election.

1. Candidates for National and Provincial assembly seats must be domiciled in the constituency from which they contest elections.

Reason: The representative of the people should be from amongst them.

2. The two candidates getting highest and second highest number of votes from each constituency should be declared winners. Readjustment in constituencies may be needed for this purpose.

Reason: The Assembly will have a larger mandate of public opinion.

3. Election commission should organize public meetings to be attended by all candidates of the constituency with due security, where the candidates will speak to the voters and answer their questions.

Reason: People should know who they are voting for and what he or she stands for.

4. Photographs, names and party affiliations of candidates should appear on the ballot paper instead of election symbols.

Reason: Voting for lamp-posts is a legacy of the colonial rule and must end.

5. There should be a ban on commercial advertising for or against any candidate. Reason: Candidates should not be sold to the public, or they will keep selling themselves.

With best wishes for you and the nation,