The Election Commission (EC) plans to appoint several non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in Sarawak as observers during the 13th general election.

Deputy chairperson Wan Ahmad Wan Omar said four NGOs in Sarawak have been identified for appointment as observers to monitor the election process for Kuching zone.

The four NGOs are Sarawak Malay Association, Orang Ulu Association, Muslim Youth Association (Sarawak branch) and Sarawak Youth Association.

“The EC will meet with several NGOs in Sibu and Miri to appoint them as observers,” he told a press conference after a briefing for election campaign enforcement teams in Kuching yesterday.

Wan Ahmad said the organisations selected for appointment as observers have proven to be apolitical.

Three Sabah organisations offered for appointment as election observers are the Sabah Youth Council, Sabah Historical Society and Human Rights Association (Sabah branch).

Five NGOs picked for appointment as observers are the Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (Ideas), Merdeka Centre, Asian Strategy and Leadership Institute (Asli), Transparency International Malaysia (TI-M) and Human Rights Association.

Wan Ahmad said 64 election campaign enforcement teams had been formed in Sarawak and will be added on the request of returning officers for each constituency.

Each team consists of an EC officer, police inspector, local authority officer and a representative for each election candidate.

Their task is to ensure that contesting political parties observe the election regulations.

- Bernama

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