Bersih: Public perception is shaped by EC's conduct

Election Commission (EC) chief Mohd Hashim Abdullah should do well to look to the commission's own lack of transparency and reluctance to divulge vital information, before blaming the election body’s bad image on negative public perception, reminded electoral reform group Bersih.

Indeed, the group said, how the public sees the commission is directly influenced by how the EC has been performing its duty and responsibilities.

"Bersih also would like to remind Mohd Hashim that by simply blaming the EC’s bad image on a perception problem does not absolve them of responsibility and accountability - how the EC conducts themselves directly affects how the public perceives them," said the group in a statement.

Bersih said the EC’s negative image is rooted in its own actions over the years.

The group recounted the poser over the commission's latest proposed redelineation exercise, which has been criticised for seemingly going against provisions of the constitutions that empowers the EC to do so.