Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Dr Rais Yatim tabled 28 amendments to the Election Offences Act 1954 in Parliament today.

Rais, who is de facto law minister, said the amendments which have far-reaching effects on the country's democratic system, is to ensure elections are carried out harmoniously in the future.

The Election Offences (Amendment) Bill 2002 include tighter rules and regulations and higher penalty such as fines and jail terms for offenders and EC officers who fail to carry out their duties in the independent spirit of the election process.