Tindak Malaysia: Maps for fairer elections ready for review

NGO proposes its Electoral Assessment and Constituency Development System (EACDS) for fairer elections.

PETALING JAYA: In a move to make general elections fairer and more democratic, non-governmental organisation Tindak Malaysia announced that its EACDS maps were ready for download from their website.

Essentially, the EACDS proposal, also known as the Electoral Assessment and Constituency Development System was put together as a proposal to the Election Commission for the next general election.

In a statement, founder of Tindak Malaysia PY Wong said, “The ramifications of any constituency delineation are severe and the effects long lasting.

“It can result in a democratic spring or announce its death. Indifference is not an option.”

Considering the severity of the issue, Tindak Malaysia was meticulous in putting together its proposal, spending three years on research and development to get it right.

Built into a geographical information system (QGIS), the basic principles governing Tindak Malaysia’s proposed equitable delineation were based on the United Nations Human Rights Declaration, and the Federal Constitution’s Thirteenth Schedule.

Explaining the proposal in greater detail, Wong said, “The proposal maintains the present 222 seats in the Federal Parliament and the allocation of Parliamentary seats to each State” as well as the present number of seats in each Dewan Undangan Negeri or DUN (state assembly).

Wong added, “Apart from this, the maximum allowable deviation from the electoral quotient for both Federal Parliament and DUN seats shall as far as possible not exceed 20%.”

The maps are available at Tindak Malaysia’s website and members of the public are encouraged to analyse and give their feedback so the proposal can be improved.

The public is also advised to participate in the public consultation process when the Election Commission announces their delineation proposals soon.

Tindak Malaysia’s EACDS maps may be downloaded free of charge.