Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim and Bersih 2.0 chairperson Ambiga Sreenevasan have called on the government to ensure freer media coverage for the coming polls , especially where the government-controlled media is concerned.

NONE Ambiga ( left ) has also called for the implementation of clean electoral rolls, as per part of its Bersih 2.0 demands.

Anwar in a separate press statement also wants to see a longer campaigning period than the 10 days allotted during the Sarawak state elections.

"I welcome the decision by the parliamentary select committee and the EC to implement indelible ink voting in the 13th general elections and amending the regulations by Feb 1," said Anwar.

"Yes, we (Bersih) welcome the news that indelible ink will be used in the next elections. Making it's use mandatory before a person may vote is essential to the process," said Ambiga in a statement.

Yesterday the PSC announced the use of indelible ink where a person is required to dip his or her left index finger in the liquid before being allowed to cast his vote. The ink can last for 48 hours.

Ambiga pointed out clean electoral rolls and a freer media are moves which the government could implement straightaway, adding that the indelible ink is only one of Bersih 2.0 demands.

"Bersih's eight demands are the minimum, that should be met before the next elections. What is so difficult about cleaning up the electoral rolls or ensuring the media is free? " she added.

She pointed out that the coalition had highlighted many other issues but she raised the two questions as they are extremely easy to achieve.

"I ask the question, why are they not doing it?" she said.

RTM, Bernama have to be fair

Ambiga also wanted to know how the government could allow the mainstream media to be so lopsided in their reporting and allow its agencies to effectively campaign for them and then claim that  elections are fair.

Anwar described the indelible ink as a small change but without any assurance or guarantee that the coming election would be free, clean and transparent.

Looking at the eight Bersih demands, he believes that a clean democratic process via a free and just elections should include freer reporting by the media and open campaign.

"Public agencies like RTM and Bernama have to be fair to all parties in their coverage.

"There should be no discrimination in reporting opposition campaigns by imposing severe censorship which may violate the right to free speech,' he said.

Anwar ,in calling for an extension of the campaigning period, said  this will ensure the voters would receive as much information as they should.

"The recent Sarawak state elections’s 10-day campaign period was  insufficient and should not be repeated," he said.

He also called for EC commitment for a freer election which should be further strengthened by an independent and just judiciary.

Hence, the Permatang Pauh MP said Pakatan Rakyat remains committed and demands that the PSC also focuses on improving the running of the election process by continue to study Bersih’s  demands to ensure clean and fair elections.

Ambiga also said there is nothing unconstitutional about requiring voters to use indelible ink or else they would not be allowed to vote, as the EC has the power to make regulations on the conduct of elections and this would fall under that category.