EC welcomes move
(The Sun Daily) – The Election Commission (EC) has welcomed the formation of an independent bipartisan parliamentary select committee (PSC) to oversee its functions.
EC deputy chairman Datuk Wan Ahmad Wan Omar described the move as a step in the right direction towards strengthening its credibility.
He was responding to the announcement by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak, in conjunction with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah’s birthday celebration at Istana Negara on Saturday.
“The announcement was made with a clear objective to instil people’s confidence in the EC as an independent and non-partisan body,” he said today.
Wan Ahmad stressed that while EC’s functions are carried out by civil servants who are bound by their terms of employment, its seven-member panel is appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, as provided for under Section 114 of the Federal Constitution.
“Many people have the misconception that EC (commissioners) are part of the government. The EC secretariat is separate from the seven-panel members and we cannot be removed from our positions,” Wan Ahmad said.
Bersih 2.0 steering committee member Wong Chin Huat, however, said that EC’s position as an independent body as laid out under the Federal Constitution must be respected by all, instead of placing it under legislative scrutiny.
“The present set of commissioners must step down and Najib should then call for a bipartisan consultation to find a constitutional solution to advise on appointment of future commissioners,” he said.
Wong said that while the Federal Constitution provides the Yang di-Pertuan Agong the sole discretion to appoint EC commissioners, the selection has thus far been limited to retired civil servants.
“The PSC (to be set up) should not be a permanent body to ‘control’ the EC … Its function should not be undermined by partisanship and requires the political will to push for necessary changes,” Wong said.
PAS research director Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad echoed Wong’s call for the EC commissioners to resign, stressing it was a “non-negotiable” demand from the people.
He urged that drastic action be taken to restore public confidence in the EC.
