The powers that be have in unison bemoaned the low turnout for last week’s county council elections.

But all the good folk trying to get us to vote for them were so keen that we only received a leaflet from the incumbent. Nobody else could climb the hill which is West Street to call on us.

Before the General Election next month, it would be nice to receive information from all the candidates, so that we, the electorate, can make informed choices. Come on candidates, get your message out.

Also, we are continually told that there are many countries in the world where the privilege of voting is not a right. It should be a civic obligation as in Australia. And people can have a postal vote so that it is easy for them to continue life on polling day.

Swiss women were only allowed to vote after a referendum in 1971, and many countries which have granted their citizens the right to vote have not done so without fear of intimidation and election tampering.

Free and fair elections are still the desire for millions, or even billions, of citizens of the world.

Anne Cleveland, West Street, Watchet.