The government should consider nominations from civil society and members of the public to fill the post of Election Commission chief, following the early retirement of Mohd Hashim Abdullah, Bersih said.

In a statement today, the electoral reform movement's steering committee said the vacancy provides an opportunity for the Pakatan Harapan government to show its commitment for electoral reform by appointing a person with high integrity and who is reform-minded.

"As an interim measure to fill the position, we call on the prime minister to be open and transparent in this exercise of searching for the best candidate. Nominations from civil society and members of the public should be considered.

"For the long-term reform on the appointment process of EC commissioners, which will require amendments to the Federal Constitution and the Election Commission Act, Bersih calls on the government to establish an election commission nomination committee, comprising representatives from the three branches of the government, statutory bodies and civil society representatives to receive and screen applicants," the statement said.

A public hearing should also be held for shortlisted candidates, Bersih added, including processes for members of the public to view the candidates' resumes and submit representation.

"The committee will submit its nominated candidates to Parliament for approval, after which it will be presented to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong for approval and appointment."

Yesterday, the EC announced that Hashim agreed to shorten his tenure as chairperson and this was approved by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Muhammad V. 

Hashim joined EC on Sept 5, 2014, as deputy chairperson, and was appointed chairperson on Jan 24, 2016.

His tenure has been riddled with allegations of being aligned to the previous BN administration, as well as manipulating the election to allow certain parties to win.

Hashim has denied such accusations, citing the GE14 results in favour of Pakatan Harapan as an example of EC acting in a "fair and transparent" manner.