Kofi Annan is now chair of Global Commission on Elections, Democracy and Security. He gave an opinion that “it’s high time now for the international community or the United Nations to grade the electoral system of every country on Earth.” In this age and time, most matured human beings already know that electing leaders is really part and parcel of all known human rights. It’s the only way of ensuring that those who will sit in the government will respect and uphold the human rights of the citizenry. Voters are given the privilege of selecting people that would represent their interests and secure their freedom, human rights and civil liberties.

Through elections, the individual is given the opportunity to have a say in running the affairs of her or his country. It’s important that an election is credible, clean and free from fraud. An election process is actually an expression of the general will of the people. It’s important that such general will won’t be subverted by tyrannical or oppressive forces. Free election guarantees that those who will take their seats in public offices will not sit as tyrants nor abuse their power. An electoral exercise is a human right that allows an individual human being to freely choose the leaders that would serve the interests of the public and uphold the human rights, civil liberties and freedom of all citizens.

A country which has an electoral system that is free, clean, just, honest and fair is guaranteed of a government that will not be tyrannical, oppressive and despotic. Such would also ensure that the government leaders in such a country will be accountable to the people in case they violate the law or curtail the human rights, civil liberties and freedom of the citizenry. Hence, I agree with what Kofi Annan has suggested about the United Nations grading the electoral system of every country on this planet. Such idea is definitely just and righteous. I think such an idea would help pave the way for every country on Earth to have free elections.