The Election Commission (EC) has been told to explain how it determines the number of parliamentarians needed prior to redelineation exercises.

 

NGO Proham said that in previous redelineation exercises, Parliament did not take the costs (such as salaries and perks) and contributions (such as hours spent debating in Parliament and attending committee meetings) of MPs into consideration when determining the number of constituencies needed.

 

“It appears Parliament, with the complicity of the EC, put the cart before the horse, for it is effective representation which should come first.

 

“The EC should explain why such a decision was made previously, and say whether a similar decision will be made in the next re-delineation exercise.

 

“Therefore Proham also calls upon the EC to explain the logic behind that sequence of events, and whether the EC plans to do the same in the future,” said Proham chairperson Kuthubul Zaman ( right ) and exco member Ramon Navaratnam in a joint statement today.

 

Their statement follows a roundtable discussion jointly hosted by the group and the Global Movement of Moderates Foundation (GMMF) on May 15, where Penang Institute fellow Wong Chin Huat and Bersih 2.0’s Delineation Action and Research Team (Dart) leader Thomas Fann made presentations on redelineation.

 

Malaysia is currently due for its redelineation exercise, where the EC will review constituency boundaries and recommend changes if necessary, including changes to the number of constituencies, which would in turn require constitutional amendments.

 

'Overwhelming evidence'

Through the roundtable discussion, Proham says it has found ‘overwhelming evidence’ of gerrymandering and malapportionment in the last general election, and urged the EC to explain.

 

“Proham notes with concern the overwhelming evidence of gerrymandering and malapportionment during GE13,” said Proham said, citing the present sizes and shapes of electoral constituencies around the country.

 

For example, they said it was noted that, “the shape of Subang Jaya constituency is now like a snake, going up to Sungei Buloh”.

 

Proham said since 2008, the public is now aware of the impact of gerrymandering and malapportionment and the EC has a duty to keep the public apprised of its efforts towards the next delineation exercise to ensure it is fair.

 

It notes that the EC has yet to publish any timeline on when the changes will be made public, and when the public consultation process required by the federal constitution would begin.

 

They also urged the EC to disclose the processes and constraints that it will use to determine where electoral boundaries should be.

 

“The EC is publicly funded to ensure fair representation, yet appears to have taken no initiatives to engage a willing public in its activities.

 

“Conversely Bersih 2.0, which receives no public funds, has, through Dart, developed a process utilising information gleaned from the EC, Google Maps and spreadsheets to work on re-delineation of constituencies.” said the duo.

 

They add that Proham is heartened to learn that Dart members of the public have shown an interest in Dart, and is disappointed that there has been no formal discussion between EC and Dart to collaborate.

 

“This is of course partly to be expected because of the delible ink and other fiascos for which no one at the EC has taken responsibility.

 

“Yet, Proham is eager for the common good and the will of moderates to triumph,” the NGO said.

 

Malapportionment and gerrymandering are two different forms of electoral misconduct, where electoral boundaries are drawn in such a manner that unfairly benefits a particular political party, rather than based on geographic consideration and ensuring every vote has equal value in determining who gets into Parliament.