While the government is still studying the establishment of the parliamentary select committee (PSC) on electoral reform, the Election Commission (EC) said that not all recommendations by the committee will be accepted and implemented.

NONEThe EC deputy chairperson Wan Ahmad Wan Omar (left) said the commission will have to first study the practicality and feasibility of the recommendations.

In an interview with Chinese-language daily Sin Chew Daily, he stressed that the EC is an independent body formed under the federal constitution and free from the authority of other departments.

Moreover, the EC is the only body in the country that conducts elections and specialises in electoral affairs, therefore only it knows which measures are feasible, according to Wan Ahmad.

Although the committee can put forward recommendations to the EC, but they are subject to the EC which will have to study them from the aspects of practicality, procedure and law.

“When we respond to the recommendations proposed by the committee, we will explain to them why certain recommendations are not applicable, so they will understand the problems in reality.”

'We focus on practicality'

Although the committee can put forward recommendations to the EC, he said, they are subject to the EC which will have to study them from the aspects of practicality, procedure and law.

“When we respond to the recommendations proposed by the committee, we will explain to them why certain recommendations are not applicable, so they will understand the problems in reality.”

Wan Ahmad commented that the EC should be respected in this matter because it has extensive experience and specialises in electoral affairs.

“We focus on practicality and avoiding complications and confusion, unlike those who only view things from their own perspective, or just based on theory and their own interests.”

Nevertheless, he agreed that electoral reform is indispensable and therefore the government’s decision to form the PSC is appreciated.

On the question of which part of the electoral system should be prioritised by the PSC, Wan Ahmad replied that it depends on the committee but he suggested that the controversies raised by Bersih 2.0 including double voting, ‘phantom voters’, the biometric system, indelible ink and postal votes should be dealt with first.


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