THE EDITOR, Sir:
THE RUSSIANS seem to have got it right. On the ballots in their recent parliamentary elections they had an option meaning 'none of the above'. I think it is a marvellous option that should always be presented to voters. I am sure we would have higher turnouts as many potential voters embrace this alternative in preference to staying away from the polls, the only currently available expression of disenchantment with the political parties.
This is in light of the fact that the category "did not vote" is a broad one, accommodating of several interpretations. Political parties might draw incorrect interpretations from such pliable data, or put unwarranted constructions on it to serve their own purposes.
A box on the ballot paper designated "none of the above" would provide a much more meaningful idea of how citizens feel about what the parties are offering. We would no longer have to draw conclusions from silence, but would be in a position to see whether the 40 per cent forgot to vote or didn't see anything to vote for.
We might even have enough time to explore this option prior to the next elections.
I am, etc.,
MICHAEL NICHOLSON
Liguanea Avenue
Kingston 6
