EC may allow foreign observers
(Bernama) – BANGKOK: The Election Commission is looking into inviting international observers for the coming election, EC chairman Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof said.
Saying that allowing international observers was a good practice, he said the EC would, however, look into various aspects, including costs, before deciding on the matter.
Speaking in an interview with TV3 and Bernama here, Aziz said the move would allow the observers to see for themselves the way Malaysia conducts its elections.
Aziz is here on the invitation of Thailand’s election commission to monitor the country’s election on Sunday. Malaysia is among 13 countries invited to observe the election — a move which Thailand hopes will enhance the confidence of the international community in the country’s election.
Aziz described the invitation as an honour for the EC, saying it reflects confidence in the commission’s ability and in Malaysia’s election system.
“If they didn’t recognise our election system, they would not have called us to become international observers,” he said.
When asked what the criteria of a free and fair election in the eyes of the international observers were, Aziz said, voters should be free to vote and not being influenced or forced to vote only for certain parties.
The candidates, on the other hand, should be free to campaign, he said.
Voters should be allowed to listen to or follow the campaign and there should be no fraud or corruption.
Asked on the eight demands by the Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih), Aziz said, there was always room for improvement.
He stressed that the EC did not view itself as a perfect entity.
He also explained the EC’s positions with respect to some of the demands, including:
– Cleaning up the electoral roll — He said this was being done on a daily basis but the public should also play their part by informing the EC about their status. There was no proof of voters being able to cast their votes more than once and that there had been no such cases being brought to court.
– Minimum of 21 days campaign period — The EC is looking into this, as well as the request for the campaign period to be shortened. The EC will also look into the matter from the security aspect.
– Use of indelible ink — The EC is looking into the use of the biometric system.
– Free and fair access to media — The EC cannot order the media to provide coverage for any party. The EC, however, can discuss with the media to give space to all parties.
– Stop corruption — The EC agrees with this but has no expertise in the matter. The EC, he said, would get the help of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission.
– Strengthen public institutions — He said this was not within the EC’s purview.
– Reform the postal ballot system — The EC is looking into this, including the possibility for an advance voting system similar to the one implemented by Thailand, with voters allowed to vote earlier, or on polling day. The system, however, had its own inherent problems, he said.
He stressed that some of the demands were not under the EC’s jurisdictions.
Bersih had submitted 17 demands but reduced them to eight following discussions with the EC, he added.
“Had Bersih continued with the discussion, we would have been able to reduce them to about three issues,” he said, adding that Bersih’s illegal rally planned for July 9 would not solve anything.
“Demonstrations won’t solve anything. It doesn’t mean that the EC will agree to their demand if they demonstrate,” he said.
