Electoral reform group Bersih today poured scorn on the government's claim that elections can still go on in security zones declared under the National Security Council (NSC) Bill, stating that free and fair polls under such circumstances is impossible.

"If elections are held when the country is under a ‘security area’, the Election Commission can be brought under the control of the National Security Council.

"The council also has the power to evacuate any areas, declare curfews, control the movement of people, take possession of any property and use any resources it deems necessary.

"It is a fallacy to believe such an environment is conducive for free and fair elections," the Bersih steering committee said in a statement today.

The NSC Bill was passed in the Dewan Rakyat on Dec 3 and later on Dec 22 in the Dewan Negara.

However, it has yet to become law after the Conference of Rulers called for a review of the law which will grant the NSC, led by the prime minister, emergency-like powers.

"The NSC Bill, therefore, contains various provisions, which if invoked, would make free and fair elections an impossibility.

"These powers lie in the hands of a scandal-hit prime minister and his close allies, who have manipulated and weakened the institutions of this country to preserve their positions of power.

"Mere assurances from any individual are not enough to protect fundamental democratic principles and human rights," said the Bersih steering committee.

It added that similar assurances were given when the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act (Sosma) was introduced but it was later used against Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's critics.

"There are too many instances where the terms ‘national security’ and ‘public order’ have been abused to clamp down on fundamental liberties.

"Bersih cannot and will not put blind faith in the words of a minister to ensure the protection of the rights of the Malaysian people," it said.

The Bersih steering committee reiterated that the NSC Bill is an infringement of the federal constitution.

"We demand the government withdraw the NSC Bill and start focusing on implementing long-overdue institutional reforms to salvage Malaysia’s democratic system," it said.