While there are flaws and irregularities in the conduct of the recently concluded 13th general election, we should accept it - even if it is only partially free and not fair - as the starting point for reforms.

"I am too afraid to say if the flaws affected the results," said Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (Ideas) CEO Wan Saiful Wan Jan.

"But I personally believe that we should accept the result, it is credible as of now... partially free and not fair. If we don't, where do we go from here?"

NONESpeaking to reporters in Putrajaya today, Wan Saiful (left) advised everyone to accept the GE13 results which were as close to credible as it was going to get, but then put their energy and effort not in anger, but towards reforming the system.

One question we should ask while taking a long hard look at ourselves in the mirror said Wan Saiful,was not to question how a person can vote twice, but why would someone do that.

"Why are we cheating? There must be bigger problems in our society if we do that," he reasoned.

Wan Saiful spoke at a joint Ideas and Centre for Public and Policy Studies (CPPS) press conference to submit their findings as GE13 observers to the media.

Their unified view is that GE13 was partially free but not fair, though the leaders from both NGOs are of different minds as to the effect of flaws in the electoral process and their impact.

Different take

CPPS president Ramon Navaratnam, for one has a slightly different take on latest polls.

"We cannot find any proof of fraud... I believe that the results of GE13 is credible," he stated.

While he acknowledged that there are flaws as Wan Saiful pointed out, the systemic failure of the indelible ink for one, Ramon believed the flaws be too insignificant to adversely effect the accuracy of the GE13 results, except in "one seat or two".

"It accurately reflected the will of the people, that BN be re-elected but with a reduced majority," argued Ramon.

He also warned the public from laying too much of the blame on the Election Commission (EC) for perceived irregularities, adding that many of the problems were in fact explainable had the commission more people doing public relations.

NONERamon  (right) argued that with phantom voters for example, the main culprit is the National Registration Department who issued blue MyKad to non-qualified foreigners for whatever reason.

"The EC had no choice by law, but to accept those with blue ICs," he said.

It is the NRD which must first be reformed contests Ramon.

What is also more important he said, is to not only to correct the flaws, but also to handle the issue of unequal weight caused by the unequal population of constituencies.

Ramon added that all the issues, like flaws in EC practices, unequal constituencies and electoral roll integrity must not be tackled individually but attacked on all fronts simulteanously.