EC independent of PM's Department, says Nazri

The Election Commission (EC) is an independent body that is appointed by, and answers to, the Agong, as provided by Article 114 of the federal constitution, the government has maintained.

“The Prime Minister’s Department (PMD) only oversees day-to-day administration and management,” said Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz (right)during Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat today.

As such he argued, “There is no need to make the commission directly answerable to Parliament.”

The de facto law minister was replying Chow Kon Yeow (DAP-Tanjong) as to whether or not the government plans to implement a suggestion by the parliamentary select committee (PSC) on electoral reform, to make the EC answerable to Parliament.

Nazri, however, said the EC is looking into the suggestion for future implementation if the need arises.

All but six of the 32 PSC recommendations have been implemented or are in the process of implementation, he said.

The EC has decided against implementing the six suggestions either because of conflict with current legislation that would require amendments, or due to the high cost.

But, he said, this does not mean that the six suggestions will not be implemented at some time in the future.

Suggestions that have been put into effect included provisions for use of indelible ink, closer cooperation with the National Registration Department and cleaning up the electoral rolls.

Advice for EC

Asked by Mohamad Aziz (BN-Seri Gading) as to how the government plans to repair the EC's tainted image due to criticism by opposition parties, Mohd Nazri dismissed the need to do so.

"My advice to the EC is ‘don't listen to what they say, just do a good job’," he responded.

Issues linked to the EC's independence, and concerns that it is being used by the government to manipulate the polls, have remained points of contention for opposition parties and civil society groups.

The government and the EC have denied involvement in electoral hijinks, insisting that the commission is independent even though it has to depend on the PMD for funding, staffing and administrative resources.