Free and fair elections: Reality or illusion?
A high-powered forum tomorrow in Kota Bharu, Kelantan, will see discussion of hot-button issues surrounding the conduct of free and fair elections.
It will feature former Election Commission (EC) chairperson Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman, de facto law minister Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz (left) and Kelantan senior exco member Husam Musa.
The forum, organised by the Kelantan government, is themed ‘Free and fair elections: Reality or illusion?’.
Several topics are likely to be raised, including those previously brought up by Pakatan Rakyat and electoral reform coalition Bersih 2.0.
Among these could be the clean-up of the electoral roll, the right to fair media coverage, the use of indelible ink, and the issue of phantom voters.
Abdul Rashid (right) is expected to be barraged with questions on controversies that arose during his eight-year tenure in the EC, up to December 2008.
These could include the last-minute reversal in the introduction of indelible ink before the last general election in 2008, as well as allegations that identity cards had been issued to immigrants on Umno’s orders.
Political scientist Mohammad Agus Yusoff will moderate the discussion, to be held at the Kelantan Trade Centre from 9pm. It is open to the public.
Malaysiakini is the official media partner of the event, the ninth in the series to date.
The series has featured mainly political discussions on a monthly basis, and will continue up to the next general election.
