The 'unilateral' powers being sought by the Election Commission (EC) to update the electoral roll should be subject to monitoring, say stakeholders in the election process.

Those contacted agreed on the need to update the registry of eligible voters, but expressed worry that such an exercise, without the knowledge of electors, would expose the EC to further accusations of manipulation and abuse.

Former Barisan Nasional parliamentarian Yunus Rahmat, when contacted, described the move as "dangerous" as "we are already faced with the problem of electors being relocated without their knowledge".

"If that exercise happens, there may be parties who will relocate electors secretly - especially if they are interested parties," said Yunus, who represented Umno at a recent workshop on the Sarawak elections.

Yunus, who serves as special officer to Umno secretary-general Mohd Radzi Sheikh Ahmad, was commenting on EC chairperson Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman's announcement last Wednesday that the commission would seek greater powers to embark on a clean-up of the electoral roll.

He pointed out that there would be cases where the voters have voted and may seek to continue voting in their hometowns, which may be different from the addresses indicated in their MyKad and registered with the NRD.

"If (I am forced to vote at) the place where I work, then it cannot be right. I think that we cannot agree with this. The right of the voter to vote is based on his or her (hometown) address, except where the elector applies to be relocated," said Yunus.

He also said that updating the addresses should not be the EC's priority, and that it should instead focus on registering the millions of citizens who have yet to register despite being eligible.

More important issues

Agreeing with Yunus, Parti Keadilan Rakyat information chief Tian Chua said move to update the electoral roll was not a "priority issue".

"The priority is for free and fair elections and to prevent the (situation) of phantom voters. Why are they skirting around the issues? If people are dead, you have to take them out (of the electoral roll)," he said.

"EC should not focus on updating or changing the addresses of current voters. That is the responsibility of the voters themselves."

He cautioned that a relocation exercise could take the place of a delineation exercise in determining the victory or loss of candidates - and therefore political parties - on polling day.

Voters should also not be deprived of their right to vote in their place of choice, he said.

"I'm a bit worried about what the EC's real motives are. It should seek powers to check corruption, to disqualify candidates who use government machinery, to stop incumbent minister-candidates from announcing development projects during elections. These are the elements of free and fair elections," said Tian.

PAS Serdang division exco member Wan Abdul Rahman Wan Abdul Latif, who sits in the party's elections division, said updating the electoral roll may not be a top priority but that it was nonetheless a matter for the commission to look into.

He conceded, though, that the electoral roll could be manipulated through the updating exercise to suit political interests, unless mechanisms are put in place to prevent such abuse.

"Updating should be done (on the initiative of the EC), but subject to a final review by representatives of political parties to ensure the roll conforms to their own list of registered voters," he said.

Malaysians for Free and Fair Elections (Mafrel) chairperson Abdul Malek Hussin, in commending the EC announcement, had earlier called for more details .

Abdul Rashid had explained that the proposed amendments are linked to Section 25 of the Elections (Registration of Electors) Regulation, 2002, Elections (Conduct of Electors) Regulations 1981, Elections (Postal Voting) Regulations 2003, Election Offences Act 1954 and Elections Act 1958.

Involving over 100 amendments to the various elections regulations and acts, the proposals will be submitted to the Attorney-General in October in time for the next general election.

With the changes, the EC will cross-check the electors' addresses with the National Registration Department (NRD). If the information does not match, the EC will contact those concerned to advise them to change their addresses.

If electors refuse, the EC will have the power to change their addresses without their approval, he added.