As a member of the voting public, I am nauseated by the events unfolded in the Indera Kayangan and Ketari by-elections. I am also repulsed by the endless commentaries on what exactly went wrong which allowed the Barisan Nasional candidate to win by a wider margin than in the last general elections in 1999.

At this time in our political history, we can figure the real problems of our electoral processes. Vote-buying features at the top. Of course it is not very difficult to understand why the average voter votes for the party that pays handsomely for his or her one vote — ignorance, poverty and fear of retaliation at work or some other thing. The opposition parties are so sold on the process as well, so much so that they cannot get a clear view that they are being led like sheep to slaughter.

Perhaps all parties who are really interested in seeing real change should first of all check if we should support the electoral process at all. If we are clear on whether we should vote or not vote at all in any by-election or the upcoming general elections, then maybe we can develop clearer actions from then on.

Why should we not boycott a sham process? Why do we continue to legitimise this government by continually being involved in a process that does not guarantee freedom and fairness? Think about it.