EC: Suhakam not needed, enough GE14 observers
PUTRAJAYA: It is inapt for the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) to be observing and monitoring the 14th General Election (GE14) process carried out by the Election Commission (EC), EC chairman Tan Sri Mohd Hashim Abdullah said.
He said members of the two commissions were appointed by the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong and they had specific jurisdictions as stated in the Federal Constitution and their respective Acts.
“As Suhakam has been given a recognition and has jurisdiction over human rights, the same recognition should also be given to the EC.
“As the right to vote is the right granted under the statute, all the rules have to be adhered to by the voters. There should be no issue of human rights overruling statutory rights,” he said in a statement yesterday.
The statement was issued in response to Suhakam’s statement yesterday that it (Suhakam) had failed in its bid to become an EC-accredited observer for the GE14.
Mohd Hashim said the EC was of the view that Suhakam’s involvement in election observation was unnecessary as the EC had invited foreign observers and appointed independent and non-aligned parties to observe and monitor the GE14 process.
In addition, he said the law also provides the rights for all contesting candidates and parties to appoint their agents as observers in every GE14 process.
According to him, the number of agents of the candidates and parties involved in the GE14 was estimated to exceed 200,000.
“As an election management body with integrity, as well as independent and fair, entrusted by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, the EC will ensure that every process of the GE14 handled by more than 250,000 civilians (election workers) will be transparent and fair without pressure and intervention from any party,” he said.
Mohd Hashim said the EC had always respected the fundamental rights of the people in accordance with law and had never restricted any citizen to exercise their rights to participate in the democratic process of the country. Bernama