Why ban nomination day parades when 8 key reforms still outstanding

PAS has strongly condemned a proposal by the Election Commission to ban parades by contesting parties during nomination day for the coming general election.

Instead, PAS president Tuan Guru Abdul Hadi Awang told EC to focus on the eight demands for electoral reforms as outlined by Bersih to ensure clean and transparent election.

“EC should not busy itself by introducing new rules for matters that had never affected the electoral process, whereby the eight demands by the people for a cleaner and more transparent election have not been implemented fully,” said Hadi in a statement.

Last week, EC chief Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof said he wanted to stop what he described as “party atmosphere” on nomination day by proposing that only 10 supporters and representatives be allowed at nomination centres.

“Polling and nomination days are the most worrying for me. The practice of having a parade accompanying the nominee should be abolished to ensure a peaceful atmosphere,” he reportedly said.

Saying a parade during nomination day was a practice since independence, Hadi stressed that it was part of the country's democractic process.

“EC should pay attention to prevent bribes and threats on voters by the party which has in power for 50 years so that it can be stopped immediately,” he added.

-Harakahdaily