'Is EC really that busy?' - DAP MPs seek meeting after 3 failed attempts

 

DAP lawmakers have requested for the Election Commission (EC) to take part in an engagement session with the party in Parliament tomorrow, following its inaction at previous invitations to discuss issues related to the next general election.

Kota Melaka MP Khoo Poay Ting cited the lack of clarity on standard operating procedures (SOP) during the past four state elections in Sabah, Malacca, Sarawak, and Johor, as the impetus for DAP to seek out the engagement session.

This included unclear SOP for those who wish to vote but are close contacts, out-of-state voters not working and living in their home constituency, and events such as ceramah, lectures and other campaign activities.

According to Khoo (above, centre), DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke had sent a letter to the EC on May 5 to discuss the issues on the suggested date of May 30.

Khoo claimed the proposed date was said to have been inconvenient for the commission’s representatives.

A second letter was delivered to the commission requesting for an alternative date - which received no response.

The party tried a third time on July 13, again through a letter to the EC seeking a date for the meeting to be held.

“Three letters have been given. To this day, there have been no answers from the EC. We want to ask the EC - are they so busy?

“From May 5, we have been asking for an engagement session. Is the commission too busy or just not efficient?

“It is the EC’s responsibility to hold a session engaging with all stakeholders, including political parties which plan to participate in the general election,” Khoo told a press conference at the Parliament building.

“If an election is held, what is the SOP? This is important,” he added, before referring to Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin’s reminder today that Covid-19 remains a threat to society.

Increase in voters

Beyond SOP clarity, Khoo raised the issue of the increased number of voters brought about by automatic voter registration and Undi18.

"What preparations have the EC made to face this boost in voters?" he asked.

Khoo was joined by party colleagues Bandar Kuching MP Kelvin Yii, Seputeh MP Teresa Kok and Bukit Bendera MP Wong Hon Wai.

Kok, who also spoke at the press conference, said that they have invited the EC for a meeting with the Parliamentary Select Committee on Agencies Under the Prime Minister Department to be held in Parliament tomorrow.

“We hope the EC chairperson will be present for the discussions,” she added.

On June 9, a Johor voter filed a lawsuit against the EC and the federal government for allegedly preventing him from casting his vote in the state polls earlier this year.

Bersih had also condemned the authorities for barring Covid-19 patients from voting in that state election after a Covid-19 positive woman was fined for turning up to vote in Larkin. - Mkini