Election watchdog the Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih 2.0) said the Election Commission (EC) should announce its entire delineation plans as soon as possible, away from festival seasons to facilitate full public participation.

Bersih 2.0 said that allowing ample time for the public to endorse or dispute the delineation is a right constitutionally provided for.

“The EC has an opportunity to redeem itself somewhat by not turning the redelineation process into the same guessing game that the prime minister (past and present) has turned election dates into.

“The EC’s forthrightness in this matter is all the more important given that members of the public have only 30 days under the present law to understand and protest the proposed delineations by the EC, which will have an impact on the outcomes of the 14th and 15th general elections,” said the steering committee of Bersih 2.0 in a press statement issued today.

BERSIH 2.0 cautioned the EC that the 30 days must not fall within festive seasons, the upcoming ones being 24 Dec to 1 Jan (Christmas), 19-28 Feb 2015 (Chinese New Year) and 1-3 Feb (Thaipusam).

“If the EC chose to set the 30 days during these dates, it would be tantamount to bad faith on its part as it would in effect deny citizens the opportunity to object to the EC's proposals.

“In such an event, the EC must bear all responsibility for the political fallout of its decision.

“Democracy is not a game to surprise the parties that are not in power and catch them off-guard,” said the Bersih 2.0 steering committee.