Home 2012: 2 Fixed dates for elections

Fixed dates for elections

Follow us on our Malay and English WhatsApp, Telegram, Instagram, Tiktok and Youtube channels.

Too much time and money is wasted in trying to create a favourable situation to call for an election, complains P Ramakrishnan.

Aliran executive committee members have a discussion before making their submissions to the Parliamentary Select Committee on Electoral Reforms

Elections should not be a cat and mouse game. It should never be a guessing game either. There should be a definite predetermined date that is publicly disclosed so that everyone knows the date of the next general elections

This is practised by a number of countries which have a fixed date for the election. Among them are Norway and Switzerland with fixed dates. Canada and its provinces (Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, New Brunswick, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Northwest Territories) have implemented fixed-term elections too. In the United Kingdom the Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011 fixes the General Election on the first Thursday in May every five years. Elections to the European Parliament occur every five years in June. Presidential elections in the United States occur every four years on the first Tuesday after the first Monday of November. Germany, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) have semi-fixed terms in that dissolution at any time in mid-term is allowed only to resolve serious deadlock.

It is noted that “predetermined or fixed election dates have the advantage of fairness and predictability”. Though the BN may not be in favour of this (as under the present practice, it can surprise the Opposition by calling for a snap election when the circumstances are favourable to it, the BN must be realistic and see the advantage in this when it becomes the Opposition after the 13th GE!

READ MORE:  The two-party trap: Looking at the US presidential election from Malaysia

Too much time and money is wasted in trying to create a favourable situation to call for an election. The recent budget is a good example of how voters are being bribed for the BN’s benefit. Households earning less than RM3000 were in no better position in 2009, 2010 and 2011 but this is being attended to only in 2012 just before the 13th GE! The RM500 may assist them in January but does their hardship disappear after that? What about the next 11 months? If this was a long-term solution for the whole of this year and the years after that, then there is no ground to accuse the BN of bribing the voters!

Recommendation

We recommend fixed dates for elections.

P Ramakrishnan is an Aliran executive committee member

The views expressed in Aliran's media statements and the NGO statements we have endorsed reflect Aliran's official stand. Views and opinions expressed in other pieces published here do not necessarily reflect Aliran's official position.

AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama
  1. Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
  2. Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
  3. Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
  4. Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
  5. Lawan rasuah dan kronisme
Support our work by making a donation. Tap to download the QR code below and scan this QR code from Gallery by using TnG e-wallet or most banking apps:
P Ramakrishnan
P Ramakrishnan has been an Aliran member since its inception in 1977, serving on our executive committee for 36 years, half of that period as Aliran's president (1993-2011). He continues to serve as an Aliran member, highlighting issues of public interest to a larger audience
Subscribe
Notify of
guest
1 Comment
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
najib manaukau
13 Mar 2012 8.06am

The present watchdog has decided on the dates of the GE and that is why they are dishing out billion of ringgits to the people lately ! They can’t ‘bribe’ the people once the date is announced and again they are taking the advantage of the situation as the watchdog.

1
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x