THE EDITOR, Sir:

THE YEAR 2007 is slated to be an election year. That brings a challenge for law and order, peace, decision-making, the practice of democracy, and also a suitable degree of continuity of policy and planning in the event of a change of government. It is hoped that the timely election process will be replete with intellectual debate, respect and tolerance for each other as citizens of a country in transition, keen observation, the usual complete and analytical commentary, and, most of all, prayer and God's blessing.

Let us use the opportunity to be sober, to think, pray, converse with each other, practise decision-making and let us be willing to accept the collective majority outcome when the elections are called. Whichever political party wins, we will all need to co-operate with and pray for our government as well as offer vibrant criticism and opposition. We shall be an example. We will then continue to guard and cherish the practices of adult suffrage, independence and democracy, which our forefathers obtained for this believed country.

I am, etc.,

C.D. SMITH

Christiana, Manchester