The Malaysian Bar today joined the calls for an independent commission of inquiry to probe the numerous allegations of electoral discrepancies.

The 11,000-strong body wants the commission to have wide and adequate terms of reference, constituted by credible members acceptable to all quarters, and to carry out investigations openly and transparently.

The lawyers also want the commission to make public its findings and recommendations once investigations are completed.

Kuthubul Zaman Bukhari, who was re-elected as chairperson last week, believed that this was the only "acceptable way" to address concerns of such importance and magnitude.

"An internal investigation within the Election Commission, as suggested by some, is not satisfactory," he told a press conference in Kuala Lumpur.

"The Bar Council notes the high number of complaints from individual voters, candidates and political parties (of all persuasions) regarding the supervision and management (of the election) by the Election Commission."

'Highly questionable extension'

The setting up of the independent body was one of two resolutions passed at the Bar's annual general meeting last Saturday.

"In light of the nature and number of complaints that have surfaced, only a transparent and independent audit will meet the demands of credibility and legitimacy in a democratic Malaysia," said Kuthubul.

He said among the complaints noted by the Bar Council are the use of two different electoral rolls, missing names of voters and the Sungai Lembing fiasco.

Also noted were the "highly questionable extension of voting hours" that was announced at the eleventh hour for certain polling stations in Selangor.

"In addition, questions concerning the efficiency and true independence of the EC have been raised. (For instance,) the monitoring of the use and abuse of the media and governmental machineries for election purposes," he said.

During the announcement on the cabinet line-up, Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had dismissed the call for an independent commission, saying there was no need for one given the independence of the EC.

On this, Kuthubul said the EC itself had asked for one, similar to calls by various other bodies.

"I'm sure other organisations are also asking for the same thing. If more people come out and ask for it to be set up, the government will be pressured into it.

"Furthermore, setting up a commission does not impede the government's administration. In fact, its long-term benefits include better supervision of the electoral process in the future."

In Pahang's state seat of Sungai Lembing, the EC misprinted the Keadilan symbol for the PAS candidate on the ballot papers, leading to a re-election a week after the general election.

Several memoranda have also been submitted to the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia since then.

During an official visit to Kelantan last week, EC chairperson Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman reportedly said that an internal panel will study the report on the breakdown in the election machinery on polling day within four months.