ELECTION REFORM COMMITTEE SET UP

Govt gives committee headed by former EC chairman 2 years to complete tasks

THE government has formed a committee to review the electoral system and laws. The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), in announcing this yesterday, said the Electoral Reform Committee (ERC) would be chaired by former Election Commission (EC) chairman Tan Sri Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman.

It said Rashid had vast experience in managing elections and he would be helped by committee members, who were being identified, to carry out ERC’ duties.

“The committee is given two years to complete its tasks, including submitting a report and acknowledgements, which the government will fine-tune and implement.

“In reviewing all election management aspects, the committee is required to get feedback and proposals from various quarters, especially stakeholders comprising political parties, politicians, the electorate and non-governmental organisations.

“The stakeholders will be given the opportunity and space to submit their views and proposals.”

The committee, it added, would study existing systems, which had reached certain standards, that were implemented in other democratic countries.

“The committee will refer to countries that have established an election management and system based on principles accepted by all to be ‘free, fair and transparent’ and have reached the desired level-playing field.”

PMO listed several of ERC’s terms of reference, including to conduct an overall review of election laws and other laws that touched on election management and processes.

The committee would study the need to create an election system in accordance with the needs of social order, including the current situation of the society, politics, economy, socio-culture and others.

It would also come up with acknowledgements to form laws based on international election management standards.

“(ERC) will study the need to form a caretaker government after the dissolution of Parliament and state assemblies, as well as to formulate laws to empower an electoral management body to register and monitor political associations and political parties.”

The committee, it added, would form work committees, including in the formulation of election laws and other laws, after the government had received and approved the report.