EC deputy chief blames Bersih, Opposition for Bill’s withdrawal

(The Star) – Election Commission (EC) deputy chairman Datuk Wira Wan Ahmad Wan Omar did not hold back when he blamed groups including Bersih, the Opposition and “those who hate the EC” for being responsible for the withdrawal of the Election Offences Amendment Bill.

Wan Ahmad trained his guns on those who he claimed had given distorted facts and gave the wrong perceptions on the Bill, which was introduced by the EC with good intentions.

He expressed disappointment that these groups had failed to obtain an explanation from the EC on the Bill.

“The pressure, the distortions, the ridiculous spinning.

“They successfully gave the wrong perception that the Bill is not good.

“The Dewan Rakyat had already passed the Bill.

“We will not introduce a Bill that is detrimental to the current election arrangements. We are only improving what is already in place.

“The Bill was not amended for Barisan Nasional, Pakatan Rakyat or Bersih.

“It was amended for the nation’s interest,” he said yesterday at the luncheon talk themed “Bersih 3.0: Mahu Apa Lagi? (Bersih 3.0: What More Do We Want?)”.

On Wednesday, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz said the Bill was withdrawn following resistance by MPs from both sides of the political divide.

Yesterday, the Dewan Negara was informed that the amendments passed by the Dewan Rakyat on April 19 were being withdrawn.

On the amendments, Wan Ahmad explained that the EC no longer wanted political party representatives to sit at the registration booths with their staff as some were obstructing the EC officers’ work.

“Some representatives are good, but there are those who disturb the EC staff from morning to evening,” he added.

Wan Ahmad also said EC officers would no longer wear yellow T-shirts usually worn during elections, citing the colour’s association with Bersih.