EC: No more objection period during nominations

The Star

PUTRAJAYA: The Election Commission has done away with the objection period for candidates during the nomination period, said chairman Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof.

Abdul Aziz said in order to expedite the nomination process, the commission would no longer allocate time for objections to the nomination of a candidate.

Under the current arrangement, personal details of confirmed candidates are displayed for an hour after the nomination period ends. Contesting candidates can raise objections to a candidate’s eligibility during this time.

Candidates are also not allowed to pull out after their nominations have been accepted.

“The returning officer will receive the candidates’ nomination forms and they will be able to decide on the candidates’ eligibility to run in the elections based on the legal requirements stated in the Federal Constitution,” said Abdul Aziz.

“This means that we can determine the eligible candidates and print the ballot paper faster,” he said.

The commission will also display the electoral roll every three months for a two-week period instead of the current one-week practice, said Abdul Aziz, adding that this would give the public and political parties more time to scrutinise the list.

He also said the disabled could now bring a trusted party instead of their own relative.

“In the past, the disabled were required to bring one of their own relatives.

“Now, they can bring someone they trust, be it a guardian or someone who takes care of them in a home,” said Abdul Aziz.

He said that the arrangement of polling stations would be modified in a way that would make it easier for candidates’ representatives and voters to see each other easily.

“These are recommendations by the Parliamentary Select Committee on electoral reforms to promote greater transparency, so we have no objections to the changes,” said Abdul Aziz.