Abdul Rashid: EC may be rebranded and given enforcement power

The Electoral Reform Committee (ERC) is looking to rework the Election Commission (EC) into a law enforcement body that can act on electoral wrongdoings.

This, according to former EC chief Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman (above), who is leading the ERC, which has been entrusted with overhauling the nation's electoral system.

"(If looking at future), EC may enforce (laws) and they will be an enforcement body," Rashid told the media when met at a roundtable on electoral reform held at the Parliament complex today.

"They will be given a bigger function and we are, in fact, creating a stronger EC," he said, adding that the EC may be also be renamed in the process.

Previously, EC chief Azhar Azizan Harun had decried that the EC was powerless to investigate any electoral offence under the current election laws.

The ERC, formed on Aug 28, has been given two years to come out with recommendations to revamp the present electoral system. Its proposal will be tabled in Parliament.

Rashid said that towards this, the ERC has set up nine sub-committees that are undertaking a total of 16 components in relation to electoral reforms.

"It is our main priority now to meet with the stakeholders and members of the public to get their feedback," he said.

This because ERC wants its recommendations to reflect the views and aspirations of all stakeholders and the people, Rashid added.

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