KUALA LUMPUR: Irrespective of the Election Commission's views, polls watchdog Malaysians for Free Elections (Mafrel) will continue to monitor the by-election process in Sibu.
Mafrel chairman Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh said the issue of whether there is a need for monitors or not does not arise.
“Mafrel is an independent organisation and we will continue to observe and monitor election processes in the country. The question of ‘no need’ as indicated by the EC does not arise at all,” he said.
He was responding to a statement by EC's deputy chairman Wan Ahmad Wan Omar that there was no need for Mafrel or similar non governmental organisations to be independent observers for the May 16 by-election.
He also said that Mafrel had failed to submit any reports of nine previous by-elections.
Credibility at stake
However Syed Ibrahim remain unperturbed, saying that it was important for independent bodies such as Mafrel to monitor the by-election.
“There will be many questionable actions during voter registrations, ceramah and other incidences that require monitoring to ensure the the election process is conducted in a fair and transparent manner.
“The EC should in fact be encouraging Mafrel for filling the democratic space. Mafrel does not need EC’s permission or sanction to monitor the process. We are an independent body.
“Although we have limited funding resources, Mafrel will send its team to monitor the process from the nomination day (May 8) until polling day,” said Syed Ibrahim.
Meanwhile Mafrel’s credibility came under scrutiny at the Senate sitting yesterday when senator Idris Buang from Sarawak revealed that Mafrel was a RM2 company.
Accusing Mafrel of deceiving the public, he said the organisation had consistently attacked the EC and the BN, giving the impression that the commission was a BN agent.
He also questioned Mafrel’s source of funding and who it actually represents.
No comments:
Post a Comment