Nazri: EC to implement most PSC recommendations in GE13
Hafidz Baharom, The Malaysian Insider
Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz told Parliament today that the Election Commission (EC) will implement most of the recommendations made by a select committee on electoral reforms in April, in the next general election.
Out of the 32 recommendations made by the parliamentary select committee (PSC), only six could not be implemented because of existing laws and the extra cost involved, the minister in the prime minister’s department said in response to a question from Tanjong MP Chow Kon Yeow.
Electoral reform group Bersih’s rally on July 9 last year had forced Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s government to accept the need for reforms.
The government moved quickly to enact the Peaceful Assembly Act after the event and formed a parliamentary select committee for electoral reforms.
In April, the PSC report was released and Parliament approved the report with no debate between the opposition and ruling parties. An opposition minority report was not included in the final report.
Bersih maintained that reforms were inadequate and subsequently announced the April 28 Bersih 3.0 rally.
The first rally, held in 2007, was partly credited for Barisan Nasional’s worst electoral performance during Election 2008, when it lost its traditional parliamentary supermajority and five states to the fledgling Pakatan Rakyat pact.
“As we know, the Dewan Rakyat passed ten recommendations in December last year and 22 more in April this year.
“The EC has informed us that most of the recommendations have been or will be implemented.
“From the 32, only six could not be implemented due to factors regarding laws and large costs,” Nazri said today.
However, Nazri said that this did not mean the EC would not implement the remaining recommendations in the future.
Among the recommendations that would be implemented in the 13th general election is the use of indelible ink, continuous review of the electoral roll, allowing postal voting for media personnel and the improvement of polling stations to ensure that votes remain secret.
