The National Registration Department (NRD) will be the next witness  called to testify before the parliamentary select committee (PSC) on electoral reform, after it concluded a two-hour session with the Election Commission (EC) today.

biomalaysia 2008 071008 maximus ongkili“The next meeting shall be on Nov 10, where we will call the EC and the NRD to talk on reforms to the electoral roll and voter eligibility,” said the committee’s chairperson Maximus Johnity Ongkili (right) when approached by reporters after its hearing in Parliament House today.

Maximus also praised the commission, represented by its chief Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof and his deputy Wan Ahmad Wan Omar, for its openness in being forthcoming with information required by the PSC, as well as opinions of its own on possible reforms.

“The EC was called as a witness, they gave their statement on matters regarding electoral reforms... issues touched included candidacy and campaign rules.”

However, Maximus was tight-lipped when quizzed about the actual contents of the statement given by the EC to the parliamentary committee and said that as yet there is no firm observations form the committee as it is still compiling statements.

Mobbed by reporters as they left the meeting, Abdul Aziz and Wan Ahmad also refused comment.

“No comment!” remarked the EC chief as he and his deputy walked away.

Amongst concerns highlighted by various electoral reform advocates, has been the NRD’s negligence or alleged complicity in the insertion of questionable voters into the electoral rolls, including allegations of citizenship and identity cards being awarded to foreigners who are then registered as voters.

Such questions are expected to be raised at the next meeting, which will put both the government department and commission before the PSC.


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