Bersih: PSC pointless once parliament dissolved

The parliamentary select committee (PSC) on electoral reform would be pointless if Prime Minister Najib Razak goes ahead with the general election, as parliament would in this case have to be dissolved, said Bersih 2.0.

The coalition for electoral reform today expressed regret at Najib's statement yesterday that the next GE could be called anytime regardless of the PSC.

“This totally defeats the purpose and spirit of setting up the PSC as it is meant to resolve serious fraudulent practices in the electoral processes.

“The PSC would be pointless if Parliament is dissolved before the Committee presents its report to Parliament,” said Bersih's steering committee in a statement.

Bersih 2.0 reiterated its demand that any elections should be held off, “until and unless the recommendations from the PSC relating to immediate reforms such as a clean-up of the electoral roll, use of indelible ink, automatic registration of voters, reform of absentee voting and minimum 21 days campaign period are implemented”.

The committee added that in preference to the PSC should be a royal commission of inquiry to study “the larger issues of elections and democracy such as electoral system, a full review of all electoral laws and the membership of the Election Commission”.

[More to follow]