After Azhar, new EC chief must have ‘proven track record’ - Bersih
The Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih) said the new Election Commission (EC) chief must have a “proven track record” of integrity and expertise in election law to ensure public confidence.
This comes following the resignation of EC chairperson Azhar Harun to become the new speaker of the Dewan Rakyat...
The Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih) said the new Election Commission (EC) chief must have a “proven track record” of integrity and expertise in election law to ensure public confidence.
This comes following the resignation of EC chairperson Azhar Harun, who was just sworn in as the new speaker for the Dewan Rakyat.
“After GE14, Bersih worked closely with the EC led by Azhar to empower the EC and reform our electoral system.
“The reforms introduced have improved the conduct and transparency of our electoral system and boosted the EC's reputation as a more transparent and accountable electoral body,” Bersih steering committee said in a statement.
The electoral watchdog pointed out that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong should take into account the importance of securing an EC which enjoys public confidence when considering appointment to the commission in accordance with Article 114 (2) of the Federal Constitution.
As such, Bersih said the new head of the EC must:
1. Have a proven track record on individual integrity;
2. Have a proven track record of being fair and free from government politics and party; and
3. Have a proven track record to have knowledge/experiences/expertise on election law and electoral system.
"Bersih also would like to reiterate our call for EC to remain committed to implementing electoral reform agenda so that our electoral system is clean and fair and would not be a tool for any party to keep them in power."
Azhar was appointed to helm the EC by the Pakatan Harapan government after GE14. He reportedly resigned on June 29.
The new prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin submitted two motions to replace Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof as the speaker with Azhar in today’s Parliament sitting.
The first motion to oust Ariff was successfully passed by the House earlier today, albeit by a narrow margin.
During his tenure helming the EC, Azhar, who was a rights lawyer, oversaw several undertakings including purging the electoral roll of dead and phantom voters, setting up of a panel to improve voter registration, and implementation or new normal campaign practices in the recent Chini by-election amidst the Covid-19 outbreak.
At present, commission deputy chairperson Azmi Sharom will step into the role of EC chief until a new chairperson is appointed.
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