PSC to go beyond Bersih's eight demands

The Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) on electoral reform will look beyond the eight demands of a polls watchdog group to ensure the credibility of elections, de facto Law Minister Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz said today.

Nazri said it would encompass all suggestions to “strengthen” the Election Commission (EC), going beyond the government’s initial intention to examine eight demands made by NGOs.

This follows written proposals by the EC, which were submitted to the cabinet by Nazri today. The contents of the EC memorandum were not revealed.

"If you look at the framework, it's very wide, to strengthen EC to ensure free and fair elections... if you go on the specifics, then we are limited to that.

“But here (in the memorandum) anything to strengthen the EC that works towards free and fair elections can be discussed," Nazri told reporters in Putrajaya.

Now that the cabinet has agreed to the framework, he will table the motion when the Dewan Rakyat sits again from Oct 3.

Since 2007, Bersih 2.0 in its earlier incarnation simply known as Bersih, has been campaigning for its eight demands to be implemented to improve the electoral process.

After receiving no favourable reaction from the government and the EC, Bersih 2.0 led thousands of protesters in a peaceful protest on July 9, which was harshly dispersed by the police.

Public outcry over the treatment of Bersih 2.0 and indifference to its legitimate demands led to the Najib administration announcing the formation of the PSC.

The PSC will comprise nine Members of Parliament - five from the BN, three from the opposition and one Independent.

Deputy Prime Minister and BN's chief whip, Muhyiddin Yassin, has been entrusted to select the government representatives, Nazri said.

On opposition demands

The committee will have six months to consider the reform proposals, although the time frame can be extended, if necessary.

The cabinet has agreed that PSC recommendations that do not require constitutional amendments can be implemented immediately, even before the committee wraps up its findings.
 
However, the PSC proceedings will come to a stop if snap polls are called.

"We are working on the premise that the life span of Parliament will expire in April 2013, and after that, we have another 60 days to call (for elections).

"That is certain… I can’t work on speculation."

Asked to comment on the opposition’s demand for specific assurances before it names representatives to the committee, Nazri replied: “We interpret this as their wish, apart from demands from the NGOs. If now they don’t want to take part, then it's weird.

“Regardless of (whether or not) they participate, (the PSC) will go on because we also want free and fair elections - but it seems they don’t.”