EC must be free of executive, party influence, says Perak ruler

 

The Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Shah, holding a copy of the book. Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman is second from right.

KUALA LUMPUR: The Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Shah, has called for a “free and fair” election process.

He said while voting is the responsibility of the public, they must be assisted by the Election Commission (EC).

“The EC must maintain its impartiality and transparency whenever an election is conducted.

“It must remain an independent body free of executive or party influence to ensure a free and fair election,” he said when launching a book, ‘Pilihan Raya Demokrasi Malaysia: Tanding, Pilih, Menang, Tadbir’, co-authored by former EC chairman Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman.

Sultan Nazrin said it is important the EC instils public belief to ensure voters are confident in casting their ballots.

To encourage voting, he said, the public must be confident that the process is free from interference and tampering and have a complete understanding of politics.

“The youth, especially, must have political knowledge of the meaning and practice of a healthy democracy.

“They need to understand what the systems of governance are, how the nation is administered, the process of forming a government, and what qualities leaders must possess,” he said.

These considerations would help in boosting voter turnout, which is essential for a functioning democracy, he said.

The book hopes to educate the public on the electoral process. - FMT