The Election Commission's (EC) call to overhaul 'outdated' election laws has won the support of both ruling and opposition parties.

However, there were different views on whether to have an independent commission to carry out the review as proposed by EC chief Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman.

Parliamentary Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang said reviewing the 'obsolete' laws is long overdue to ensure a free and fair election.

"A free and fair election is not just ensuring people can cast their votes during polling day but it is about the whole process," said the Ipoh Timor MP when contacted.

Lim said it was an 'open secret' that the current system favoured the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition.

For instance, he said "the incumbent premier fixes the polling day" when Parliament dissolves. The decision should be made by the EC, he added.

Serious flaws

Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PRK) adviser Anwar Ibrahim also welcomed the call.

"This was an inadvertent admission of the serious flaws, blatant abuses and manifest disregard for democratic principles in our elections.

"I call upon the chairperson's conscience not to continue to be used as a stooge for Umno and the BN government," said the former deputy premier in a statement.

He also questioned the rationale to proceed with the elections without the necessary reforms.

"This must be addressed by the chairperson, and it is now incumbent upon him and the EC to ensure that a free and fair election is conducted," he said.

PKR vice-president and party election committee chairperson, Azmin Ali, said it was a serious admission by Abdul Rashid.

"The EC chairperson must be responsible to exercise a total reformation of the election process. Failing which, he should resign," added the opposition leader in a statement.

MCA Youth wing also agreed to the proposal but urged the EC to be more specific regarding its complaints.

"Any law will need a review after a certain period of time, it cannot be static. No one will dispute this need to have a free and fair election," said the wing's legal bureau head Gan Ping Sieu.

"However, the EC too has to be transparent and list out what are the current weaknesses, otherwise it will not be fair to all political parties," he added.

Gan, who is also a state assemblyperson, however disagreed with Abdul Rashid's statement that the current election system cannot ensure justice for all parties.
"What was he referring to? The technical aspects in the election system or was he saying we should have a proportional representation system? They are different matters," he noted

No separate commission

Although Gerakan vice-president Dr S Vijayaratnam agreed that the election laws warranted a review, he however disagreed with the need for a separate commission.

"The EC can make the recommendations to Parliament. Too many of these things (commissions) will become meaningless," said when contacted.

Meanwhile, Parti Sosialis Malaysia also voiced support for a review of the laws to give the EC more powers, especially to determine the establishment of political parties and their freedom to participate in elections.

"In many countries, political parties register with the EC and the power to decide (whether the parties can contest) is in the hands of the EC," said pro-tem PSM secretary-general S Arutchelvan.

Candidates from PSM - which has yet to get an approval from the Registrar of Societies (ROS) - have been contesting in previous general elections on the ticket of other parties.

Yesterday, Abdul Rashid said the election laws which were drafted five decades ago are no longer suitable and could no longer ensure justice for all parties.

He also said the review should include restructuring the EC - the body tasked to manage the election process independently - and to give the organisation more powers.

The EC chief noted among other areas which the EC does not have the power to act on is the power to determine the establishment of political parties and their freedom to participate in election anytime and the power to handle all situations during campaigning.

The EC also complained that it has no power to ensure free and fair media reporting, the power to prosecute persons who misuse public facilities for their campaign, the power to address issues pertaining to party funding and the power to control and prevent corruption and vote-buying during elections.