The dignified and honourable thing to do over allegations of serious flaws in the electoral roll and 'indelible' ink failures is for the Election Commission (EC) to resign en bloc, says a civil society group.

"While we know they are appointed by the Yang diPertuan Agong, their conscience and professionalism should prick them to resign before they are removed via due process," Gabungan Bertindak Malaysia spokesperson Tan Yew Sing said.

NONE In other democracies, Tan ( left ) told a press conference in Kuala Lumpur today, leaders linked with such "shameful public failures" would have honourably removed themselves from service and taken responsibility, if not to admit culpability.

Other than the 'indelible' ink and tainted electoral roll, Tan said the EC also must take responsibility for the malapportionment evident in the lopsided constituencies around the country.

He urged the commission to re-delineate the electoral districts "in a more professional and internationally-accepted manner" to get as close as possible to the one-man one-vote principle.

On the issue of 'phantom' voters, Tan said the blame for this must also be laid at the door of the National Registration Department for issuing MyKad to unqualified foreigners who then used the identification document to register as voters.

While he could not be sure of the actual numbers, Tan said, there was proof of such cases and the question is not about substantial numbers but about documented instances of it happening and this should be dealt with accordingly.