NGO offers to help EC improve electoral system

fz.com 
by Meena Lakshana

PETALING JAYA (Feb 17): A citizen-based electoral reform project has proposed the establishment of a separate body independent of the Election Commission (EC) to oversee the constituency re-delineation process.

Speaking at the forum entitled ‘Towards a Fairer Electoral System’, Projek Beres coordinator Syahredzan Johan said yesterday a Boundaries Commission should be set up independently of the EC to deal with the delimitation process.

In his presentation at the forum organised by the Bar Council and Tindak Malaysia, Syahredzan said the commission will also operate independently of Parliament, where Dewan Rakyat would have no power to amend or reject the final determination of boundaries by the commission.

Its members will be appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, in consultation with the Conference of Rulers and the concurrence of the Opposition Leader.

“The Boundaries Commission may increase or decrease number of constituencies according to delimitation criteria,” he said.

The EC will assume the role of the Registrar of Societies (ROS) by handling the registration and regulation of political parties and political organisations, which would give licence to the commission to oversee the parties during election.

The appointment of EC members is similar to the Boundaries Commission.

To keep the Boundaries Commission and the EC in check, Projek Beres also proposed that an Election Ombudsman inquire into, review and address complaints and grievances with respect to the conduct of the EC and the Boundaries Commission.

The Election Ombudsman will also issue orders for corrective action to be taken and recommend the removal of members of a caretaker government.

All members of all bodies will be disqualified if found to be a member of a political party. Also, all members are not allowed to be elected representatives of the people.

Projeck Beres also proposed that an interim Prime Minister (PM) lead the caretaker government once Parliament is dissolved to pave the way for elections.

The interim PM will be appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, but is subject to the approval of the outgoing PM and the Opposition Leader.

These are some of the 20 proposals drawn up by Projek Beres, a citizen-initiated electoral reform group.

‘Plans to engage with political parties’    

Syaredzan said the group hopes to initiate discussions on the proposals with both Barisan Nasional (BN) and Pakatan Rakyat “as soon as possible.”

“We want to engage with the stakeholders, EC and both sides of the political divide. Ultimately, they may have different ideas,” he said.

“But at least, we can talk about these things, because it involves amendments to the Federal Constitution, and for that, we need both sides of the political divide to agree to this,” he said.

However, Syahredzan said the group may have to wait until after the Kajang by-election.

He said at the moment, the group also lacks funding but is hopeful that they will receive help.

“The thing is, it is not civil society’s job to do all of these things,” he said.

“We are doing this because the State has failed us and we are just a bunch of concerned citizens.

“So, similarly, the funding will come because there are concerned citizens who will step forward to help us,” he added.

More information on the group and its efforts can be found on its Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/ProjekBeres.