Bersih post-GE report: Appointment of EC commissioners problematic

Bersih has today published a report on its post-GE14 findings and reforms proposal which, in part, called for an overhaul in the appointment of Election Commission (EC) commissioners heavily in favour of the government. 

The electoral reforms group pointed out that of the current EC commissioners, four out of the five appointed since the 13th general election (GE13) have come from the civil service, while the fifth came from the police force.

“The appointments of (these) EC commissioners failed to uphold the independence and integrity of the institution,” said Bersih executive director Yap Swee Seng during the launch of a report on post-election reforms in Kuala Lumpur today.

Hence, Yap said Bersih was reiterating its call for all the current commissioners to resign.

The report, co-authored with human rights groups Pusat Komas and Suaram, contained a list of recommendations based on Bersih's election observation mission of the 14th general election (GE14).

According to the electoral reforms group further, other areas in need of reforms include the process of redelineation, the EC's conduct during the elections, and the conduct of political parties and the media.

Bersih suggested the establishment of a public process of appointments to the EC via a nomination committee.

The nomination committee will propose suitable candidates to the parliament to be vetted and regard should be given to the diversity of the candidates’ background and representation.

The EC should also be made accountable to the Parliament and a special parliamentary committee on elections, they added.

To reform the process of redelineation, Bersih proposed that the Federal Constitution be amended to define the limits of the phrase “approximately equal” and to provide for more equal apportionment of seats between states.

They also recommended for an independent Boundaries Commission to be formed. It will act as an expert body separate from the EC to carry out redelineation exercises.

The Federal Constitution should also be amended to allow for automatic voter registration and to allow legal challenges of the electoral roll, they said.

Meanwhile, Bersih said political parties should be removed from the control of the Registrar of Societies (ROS).

There should also be a Political Parties Act, to regulate the financing of political parties and candidates.

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad had announced the government’s intention to draft a bill for a political financing act earlier this week.

The conduct of elections should also be reformed, Bersih said, by criminalising the use of government resources for political purposes.

Laws relating to corrupt practices in elections also need to be strengthened to prevent any handouts by political parties and candidates after the dissolution of parliament.

The government should also implement a fixed election date, similar to the model introduced in the UK, Bersih said.

Bersih acting chairperson Shahrul Aman Mohd Saari said they will hand this report to MPs during the upcoming parliament session which starts next week. -Mkini