Letter: A useful association
Sir: For many years, I have taken the view that the Commonwealth has become a useless association without any effective role in the modern world. However, under the leadership of its new Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, the association is playing a unique role that attaches the highest priority to democratic institutions, of which the holding of free and fair elections is a crucial part.
In the past two years, the Commonwealth has mounted election observer missions to Malaysia, Bangladesh and Zambia. Planning missions are now assisting Guyana, Lesotho and Kenya with their coming national elections. The advance report that the Commonwealth Secretariat has issued about the elections for a constitutional commission in Seychelles, which took place on 26 July, reflects the seriousness and usefulness of this current undertaking.
Yours faithfully,
JAMES R. MANCHAM
London, SW15
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