Bersih urges government to disclose Electoral Reform Committee report

SHAH ALAM - The Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih) is urging the government to disclose the report of the Special Committee on the improvement of Electoral Reform Committee (ERC) to the public.

Speaking to the reporters at Karangkraf Complex, newly-appointed Bersih chairman Muhammad Faisal Abdul Aziz stressed the need to declassify the report.

He said that this action would provide space for Bersih and other non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to stimulate discussions on national reform.

"This report needs to be declassified so that Bersih and other non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have space to stimulate discussions on national reform.

"The role of the Election Commission (EC), which is entrusted to conduct elections, including the issue of re-demarcation of electoral areas, is very large.

"Therefore it is important to ensure that it is completely free from the influence of any political party.

"So, Bersih insists that the appointment of the chairmen and commission members be done in a better, democratic and inclusive manner through the institution of Parliament," he said yesterday.

Faisal addressed the outdated Election Offences Act 1954, stressing that it has not been amended for over two decades.

He pointed out its lack of relevance to the current situation and cited specific examples, such as the expenditure limit for candidates.

According to him, the limit for candidates for Parliament and State Assembly, set at RM200,000 and RM100,000, respectively, needs to be increased to RM400,000 and RM200,000 to align with current requirements.

"This limit should be increased so that political parties no longer violate election laws," he said.