Social reforms movement Aliran today criticised the Election Commission (EC) over its decision not to make public its report on the polling day chaos in Selangor.

The Penang-based group said the commission was not capable of living up to its obligation as an impartial referee under the constitution.

It also took EC chairperson Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman to task over the decision.

"Can he give any sensible reason why this report has to be given only to the government? Every voter and candidate in the recent election has a right to know the contents of this report. Anything short of this is unbecoming of an independent institution and will stand out as a national shame," it said in a press statement.

Different tune

Aliran was also dissatisfied with how Abdul Rashid changed his tune over the issue of an independent inquiry into the electoral conduct, following Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's dismissal of the proposition.

"The moment the prime minister mentioned that there was no need for one, he immediately changed his tune and echoed the prime minister. Where is his independence of thought and action?"

"Abdul Rashid doesn't seem to realise that he is not a government servant beholden to the government. He is absolutely lost in his job," it added.

Immediate after the electoral debacle, Abdul Rashid proposed that an independent probe be called into complaints that his commission failed to discharge its duties and responsibilities fairly and with due care.

Despite this, and similar calls by opposition political parties and non-governmental groups, the government dismissed the need for an independent probe.

On the same note, there has been little public outcry over the many glitches despite scores being denied the opportunity to exercise their right to vote.

Chaotic scenes

In the parliamentary constituency of Gombak (Selangor) alone, polling agents alleged that "hundreds" of names were missing from the roll and EC officers were nowhere to be found.

Other election problems reported nationwide, included voters being transferred to different constituencies without their knowledge.

Media reports today quoted the commission's secretary Wan Ahmad Wan Omar as saying that the chaos was a result of election workers splitting the electoral roll into different streams.

He added that a total of 10 poll workers in Selangor will be called in to explain their actions. He said this in his 25-page report which was presented to the election commissioners last night.

Wan Omar said that the splitting of the electoral roll caused difficulties to about 250,000 voters in Selangor.