Former Bersih chairperson and prominent lawyer Ambiga Sreenevasan today said she did not want to be the new Election Commission (EC) chairperson.

When asked today about Bersih's suggestion that she was qualified to take on the role, she replied: "Not likely". 

When asked again if she wanted the role, she gave a flat "No" before leaving in her vehicle. 

Ambiga was quizzed by reporters on Bersih's suggestions while she was leaving Ilham Tower, Kuala Lumpur after a meeting by the Institutional Reforms Committee (IRC) of which she is a member. 

Yesterday, Bersih said Ambiga "would make a good candidate", but did not officially endorse her as their pick.

"Well she can, she is definitely (a good candidate) and I think the Malaysian public thinks the same. But having said that, there is not just one person,” its acting chairperson Shahrul Aman Mohd Shaari had said during a press conference.

He also mooted former judges for the role.

Bersih, which monitors the electoral process and campaign for free and fair elections, said the three criteria for selecting the EC chief are personal integrity, independence and expertise on electoral matters.