National Institute for Democracy and Electoral Integrity (NIEI) said that there is no element of treason in placing the Election Commission (EC) under the watch of the Parliament.

NIEI chairperson K Shan noted that while a parliamentary select committee may oversee the EC, it does not diminish the Yang di-Pertuan Agong's power on the commission.

"While the Agong has the power to appoint and sack the EC office-bearers, the select committee will act as an oversight and policy guidance to oversee regulations and prescribed reforms," he said.

NONE Shan was responding to Perkasa vice-president Zulkifli Noordin ( right ), who claimed that putting the EC under Parliament was a bid to dilute the Agong's power, and is thus treasonous.

Describing this as a "gross misunderstanding", Shan added that the permanent committee does not involve governance and administrative independence.

"The select committee increases the accountability of a public institution to the rakyat and strengthens the consensus mechanism and transparency among parties that is the current practice of our electoral democracy.”

Shan reiterated that electoral reform is a continuous process, and a structure to facilitate that change was necessary.

Related stories

'Voters made to swear to back BN'

EC chief: Washable indelible ink the saddest thing in life

'Not fate but fraud and flaws, helped BN win GE'

'Prove fraud before asking EC to resign'