Bersih calls for new EC oversight body

 

The Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih 2.0) has called on the government to amend the Parliament Standing Orders and set up a new Parliamentary Standing Committee on Election Matters as an oversight body to the Election Commission (EC).

Bersih 2.0 steering committee members said the establishment of the standing committee is particularly important now to deal with organising elections amid the Covid-19 pandemic, including at least two pending state elections and three by-elections.

"The reason why there is a need for a Parliamentary Standing Committee on Election Matters is that the electoral system is integral to our political system and a lot of reforms need to be explored and implemented.

"If it is only established as a parliamentary select committee, it can then easily be dissolved and removed," said the group, citing a previous select committee on election matters set up in 2019.

"We would also like to reiterate our suggestion in 2019 where the Standing Committee on Election Matters should be chaired by elected representatives from the opposition and comprised of elected representatives who are committed to clean and fair elections with expertise on election matters," the group said in a statement today. 

Standing committee's role 

Bersih 2.0 said the standing committee's mandate must include establishing an independent nomination committee that will suggest candidates for EC commissioner positions to the prime minister whenever there is a vacancy, to be forwarded for appointment by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

Its members must also be empowered to receive, review and debate the EC's annual report, including special reports after a general election or by-election, before being presented in the Dewan Rakyat with comments of the standing committee.

Bersih 2.0 said the standing committee must be authorised to conduct an inquiry on any matters related to elections and when necessary, has the power to subpoena witnesses to give testimony and provide evidence in relation to the issues.

"These investigations should also be made public and be televised or broadcast on parliamentary websites," added the group.

It further said the standing committee's power should also extend to reviewing any law and amendment to the election law before it is tabled and debated in Parliament through engagements with all stakeholders, especially political parties and civil society organisations. - Mkini