The conversation underpinning democracy must be opened to all

All set: Are you ready with an umbrella to keep your ballot dry on Nov 19? — YAP CHEE HONG/The Star

WELL, the silly season is upon us again. Along with interminable rain, we will now have to suffer a deluge of fanciful speeches, false promises and fake smiles.

We’ll be expected to trudge in mud-splattered shoes, if not sodden ones, to our voting stations to dip our fingers in purple ink and mark a cross against the “best” in a slate of equally unappetising candidates.