Xenophon's expulsion casts doubt on free and fair elections DEMOCRACY hangs in the balance in Malaysia. To guarantee free and fair elections three conditions must be fulfilled: an independent audit of the electoral roll, a minimum campaign period of reasonable duration, and the presence of international observers at polling stations. Senator Nick Xenophon was in Kuala Lumpur last week to discuss with me and leaders of the ruling party how to meet those conditions. His deportation has rendered the demand for free and fair elections an exercise in futility.