PAS claimed that the request for political parties to provide feedback to the Election Commission (EC) on the redelineation proposal announced last August could be unconstitutional.

Party secretary-general Nasharuddin Mat Isa (photo) wondered if EC chairperson Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman was aware that there is nothing in the Federal Constitution which allows politicians to make representations on the commission's plans to amend election boundaries.

When contacted yesterday, Nasharuddin said that, if Abdul Rashid was aware of the constitutional procedures, he would hardly be "disappointed" with opposition parties for their minimal feedback.

Nasharuddin was responding to an Utusan Malaysia report yesterday which said the EC chief was disappointed with opposition parties for chanelling their grouses to the media instead of making proper representations to the commission.

Abdul Rashid said while the opposition was busy making accusations against the EC, the Barisan Nasional government had submitted ample feedback on the redelineation issue.

He said out of the 370 representations or counter proposals made to the commission, only 20 percent came from the opposition, mainly from PAS and DAP. There was none from Keadilan.

Credibility questioned

Although PAS was disappointed with the proposal, Nasharuddin said there is little the party can do as it has no legal standing to raise any objection.

He added that the 13th schedule of the constitution states the EC shall only consider representations by local authorities or governments and a body of 100 or more voters directly affected by the change of election boundaries.

"But we are aware that voters from most of the affected constituencies involving PAS have sent their representations, objections or feedback directly to the EC on the matter.

"We try to help if the voters seek our help without transgressing any laws," he said.

Nasharuddin said the EC should explain on what basis did it accept the 296 representations from BN. He also questioned the commission's credibility of being an independent body.

On why the PAS-controlled Terengganu government did not make any representation, he said the state government might have considered that it would be a repetition to those made by the voters.

He said despite the constitutional block for it to submit complaints on the redelineation, as a concerned party PAS submitted several memorandums and proposals calling for improvement in election laws and policies.

He added that party leaders had met with EC officials several times to discuss election issues and the process.

Lost faith

Meanwhile, Keadilan secretary-general Sahri Bahri disagreed with Abdul Rashid's interpretation that the absence of representation from the party meant that it was satisfied with the proposals.

"It could also mean that we have lost faith in the credibility of the EC based on its past statements and proposals. The proposal it made is biased as it only increased the seats in BN-stronghold states like Johor, Selangor and Kedah.

"Sixteen seats out of 25 are allocated to the three states while no changes were made to Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah and Perlis. Who can blame anyone in concluding that the proposal was to give an edge to the ruling regime?" he said.

Echoing Nasharuddin, the Keadilan leader said that objections and representations can only be made by state governments and voters from the affected constituencies.

He said even if the voters had complained, there was no guarantee that the EC will act.

Sahri said that lack of representation does not mean Keadilan is not concerned with the election process.

He said the party had submitted a 16-point memorandum in March seeking radical changes for free and fair election in Malaysia.

"Among others, we asked for a clean-up of the electoral roll, reducing the eligible voting age from 21 to 18 and to review the procedure of postal votes.

"To date none of our points have been considered and we have yet to get any feedback from the EC on the matter," he said.

Sahri urged the EC not to harp on petty issues with the opposition. He said it should instead concentrate on ensuring a fair election process by promoting fair media coverage, and preventing misuse of government agents and facilities during election as well as the excess use of funds.