Election Commission (EC) chairperson Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman today said the government is "quite agreeable" to increasing the commission's enforcement powers by setting up an election monitoring unit.
"The government is quite open to our proposals after seeing how political parties had conducted themselves during elections," he told a press conference at the EC headquarters in Putrajaya.
According to Abdul Rashid, the general proposal for the setting up of the EC's election monitoring unit is being drafted by the Attorney-General's Chambers.
"It must be discussed with the AG's Chambers to see if the proposals comply with other regulations. They may be against some other laws or the Federal Constitution," he added.
Last month, the commission proposed for the widening of its enforcement powers in order to counter the public's long-standing negative perception over the conduct of elections in the country.
The proposals came after several media reports cited alleged violence and posting of 'seditious' campaign materials in the run-up to the Pendang and Anak Bukit by-elections in Kedah last month held following the death of PAS president Fadzil Noor.
PAS retained the Anak Bukit state seat but lost the Pendang parliamentary seat to Barisan Nasional.
On the conduct of parties during the by-elections, Abdul Rashid said he was "happy" that one of the parties had exercised restraint in the face of provocation by another party.
"Otherwise, there would have been bloodshed. We received reports from the police about this," he claimed.
No level playing field
The EC chairperson said political parties should realise that there is no level playing field in Malaysian politics by virtue of the fact that Barisan Nasional is a "giant party".
"In terms of advantage, they have the organisation, manpower and money. Not all parties have this advantage.
"The [EC] did not create this situation. It was already there," said Abdul Rashid.
Meanwhile, Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM) president Dr Syed Husin Ali expressed reservations on the effectiveness of an EC equipped with enforcement powers.
"In principle, we agree that there should be no unfair play or violence in campaigns but this has to be fairly enforced," he said in a telephone interview.
The PRM leader said although opposition parties had lodged many complaints with the commission on the behaviour of BN campaigners during other by-elections this year, no action was taken until Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad complained of aggressive campaigning during the by-elections in Kedah.
"We had been bloodied and injured. The window screens of our vehicles were smashed," said Syed Husin referring to several incidents during this January's Indera Kayangan by-election in Perlis.
"We have met the EC several times to complain on BN's conduct during elections but we did not receive any response. They have said that it is not within their powers to change things," he added.
The opposition leader said the commission should also have called for a discussion with all political parties before announcing its proposals.
When asked, Syed Husin said it is likely that Parliament would agree to setting up the monitoring unit.
"The EC would not have mentioned it if the government had not supported it...but enforcement will be unfair and unjust and it will benefit the ruling parties," he added.
Nothing new
On a related matter, Syed Husin said the proposal made by the EC to provide for airtime to political parties is nothing new since the same suggestion had been made during past elections.
"So far, opposition parties have been given time only to explain their policies on radio. However, not one minute has been given on television.
"TV has been abused in the worst manner to spread lies and propaganda without giving opposition parties the opportunity to explain themselves. If opposition leaders appear at all, it is in a distorted manner," the PRM leader said.
The New Straits Times today quoted Abdul Rashid as saying the EC had proposed to the Cabinet for political organisations to be allowed airtime during the general election based on the number of candidates fielded by the parties.
Abdul Rashid's proposal came after opposition leaders complained last April to the Commission on the media blackout of opposition campaigning.
At the time, he explained that the commission was powerless in matters outside its jurisdiction due to the enforcement of laws like the Broadcasting Act.
