Tamrin: Appoint BN and Pakatan Rakyat reps in EC

The Election Commission has come under fire from various quarters but few have come forward to give viable suggestions to solve the numerous issues of trust plaguing the supposedly independent body.

Former Umno Youth exco member, Tamrin Ghafar, now with PAS, suggested that the EC merge with quarters who share common interests with the body to choose qualified candidates to lead the commission.

"I propose EC allow the positions of its chairman, deputy chairman, secretary and board members to be chosen by Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat (PR)," Tamrin told The Malaysian Insider.

"BN can name their choice for the position of EC chairman and PR can nominate someone for the position of deputy chairman. PR then chooses the nominee for the secretary position and BN can do the same for the deputy secretary post."

Tamrin expressed confidence that the direct involvement of these two parties in the EC would restore confidence to the embattled body while also bringing an end to the chaos swirling around the commission.

The EC has become a target for various quarters, including Pakatan Rakyat and non-government bodies, who want a free and fair election in Malaysia. There have been calls for the resignation of both the EC chairman and his deputy.

But the question remains, if the top two in the commission resign, who should be appointed as their replacements to restore faith and trust in the EC. The most glaring mistake committed by the EC in May's polls was the issue of the indelible ink.

Further complicating the situation is the contradictory statements made by various parties in this indelible ink issue. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak announced measures last month to strengthen the credibility of commission.

He proposed a special committee comprising MPs from both BN and PR to supervise the EC and ensure it functioned efficiently.

"With this proposed move, it is hoped that the independence of the EC is not questioned anymore and the public's confidence in the commission is strengthened," Najib said at the time.

Tamrin is among those who came under fire from authorities when he questioned the integrity of the EC. He was arrested twice by police and finally charged under the Sedition Act 1948.

In order to return the EC's integrity and reputation, numerous quarters including political parties have called for both the chairman and his deputy to resign from their positions.

"I don't think that their resignations will solve the problem. I am concerned that the same issues will resurface and Bersih will return to the streets to protest against the appointment of a new chairman," Tamrin said.

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in the past also faced the same issues currently plaguing the EC. Then known as the Anti-Corruption Agency, former Prime Minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawai restructured the body.

With the formation of the MACC, a supervisory panel was formed to monitor its actions and is comprised of people appointed from various quarters including political parties.

PAS vice-president Salahudin Ayub, who was then the Kerian MP, was also appointed to the panel. The end result saw the MACC coming under less pressure and flak from the public.

"This is because the appropriate measures were taken before the MACC could come under attack from various quarters. I am confident that the appointment of important stakeholders in the EC will lessen the pressure faced by the body," Tamrin said.