PSC proposals accepted, implementation next

Various government agencies will be asked to implement 10 recommendations in the interim report by the parliamentary select committee (PSC) on electoral reforms.

At a press conference today, the PSC chairperson Maximus Johnity Ongkili said the report had been debated today and its recommendations endorsed by Parliament.

"We have named the implementers and we will monitor their progress based on their scheduled that they will submitto us," said Ongkili (left).

Elaborating, Ongkili said the government agencies named as implementors in the interim report have two weeks to submit their implementation timetable and details of the action taken.

He guaranteed that the PSC will continue to monitor the agencies involved as long as its mandate is in effect.

"The committee have four more months. It is not be deviating from our purpose if we monitor the implementation," he added.

Asked it if will be possible as insisted by certain parties that the recommendations be implemented by Jan 1 next year, he replied that “it would be asking too much”.

The debate today saw an overwhelming bipartisan support for the report, with only technical and nitty-gritty concerns highlighted and no major opposition to it.

The ten recommendations are:

• Introducing the use of indelible ink

• Implementing advance voting for security personnel, armed forces and expanding it to other essential service personnel

• To expand overseas voting to all qualified Malaysian overseas

• To allow for out-of-district voting

• Requiring a statutory declaration to accompany a change of address

• A clean-up of the electoral roll

• Increase the duration that the electoral roll is put on display to allow for a longer protest period

• To remove serial numbers from voting slips and ensure stricter monitoring of voters

• To abolish protests on nomination day and to remove the withdrawal period for candidates

• To strengthen the EC to ensure its independence.