What is in the accreditation from EC to election observer?
The EC has dropped a bombshell for Hulu Selangor by-election by stopping accreditation to an election observer, Mafrel. But what is there in such a accreditation? On the face of it it allows the observer group entry into the polling centre for observation. And that is about it that it entitle the observer group to do.
Mafrel has become the only observer groups in Malaysia-it has been given this status since 2007(Machap by-election). Now -not many people knows this:what does it takes away as conditions?
Actually there are 20 restrictions imposed on accredited election observer by EC. Among them: observer cannot even enter the polling station/class room where polling takes place. They can only peep from the window-if the window is open! So they can only position themselves within the 50m limit around the polling stations and the polling station itself! The names and photos of the observers, if they follow the restriction, will be posted at each polling centre to enable police to stop observers from trying to gain entry into the polling stations….!!!(Actually they never did this)
Observers are also not allowed to observe the vote counting-the all important and crucial stage of polling day observation. Observers are not allowed to take photo except with permission from the polling station chief (KTM)!
The worse thing: accredited observer group is not allowed to make press statements during election period-but allowed to make reports for improving election conduct to EC.
Only 2 observers are allowed per polling centre-which sometimes host 10 polling stations! They are not allowed to move to other polling centres, and they are not allowed to change shift either!
