Election Commission is not beholden to the government

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The EC's special report should be made public
Election Commission chairman Tan Sri Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman doesn't seem to realise that he is not a government servant beholden to the government. His conduct should be such that he enjoys public confidence.

He must be aware that the Commission cannot be interfered with by Government and that is why the Constitution provides that "a member may not be removed from office except on the like grounds and in the like manner as a judge". And yet he is not conscious of the dignity of his position but comes across as a confused person.

He is absolutely lost in his job. Following the brickbats that the EC received as a result of the unbelievable fiasco on polling day in various parts of the country, especially in Selangor, he on his own suggested the setting up of an independent commission to investigate this disaster. But the moment the Prime Minister mentioned that there was no need for one, he immediately changed his tune and echoed the Prime Minister. Where is his independence of thought or action?

His recent ludicrous statement that the EC would submit its special report on the chaos in polling in Selangor to the government removes all pretence of the EC's independence. Can he give any sensible reason why this report has to be given only to the government?

The failure to conduct a free and fair election is the concern of every citizen. We want to know what went wrong. Every candidate who participated needs to know. Every political party is entitled to this report. It should be made public.

In the elections, the Commission is the referee and it is expected to behave in an impartial manner. It appears that it is not capable of living up to its obligation and discharging its responsibility in a manner that would bestow credibility on its conduct.

He should get out of his government servant mentality and do honour to the Constitution that is responsible for the Commission's existence. He is beholden to the citizens of this country to act without fear or favour. This is what is expected of him.

This special report should be made public. Every voter and candidate in the recent election has a right to know the contents of this report. Only then it can be verified how truthful the findings are and what has been glossed over.

Anything short of this will be unbecoming of an independent institution and will stand out as a national shame.

Aliran Executive Committee
6 April 2004

For other media alerts please refer to the Malaysian Election Media Monitors Diary.

This statement was sent to the local media including The Star and the Sun. We have stopped sending statements to the New Straits Times as they have never been carried.