Selangor govt not satisfied with EC’s replies to queries
SHAH ALAM: Not satisfied with the Election Commission’s (EC) replies to queries on the proposed redelineation exercise, Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Azmin Ali will instruct lawyers to look into legal options to resolve the issue.
Azmin said the decision was made as EC had completely failed to address key issues raised over the proposed exercise in a letter sent to the commission by the state government.
‘’In view of the position taken by the EC in their letter, I and the state government will be instructing our lawyers to look into all legal options that are available to us,’’ he said in a statement yesterday.
Azmin had earlier written to the EC in his capacity as mentri besar, seeking explanation for the rationale, basis, principle and mechanism behind the redelineation proposal, which he deemed ‘’unconstitutional’’.
The commission later responded in a letter, which was delivered to the mentri besar’s office on Friday evening.
The two-page reply did not provide any answer to questions asked but only stated that all the requested information could be obtained from the commission’s website on the Internet.
Azmin said the commission’s unsatisfactory reply and failure to address concerns over the matter, gave the impression that they had no justification whatsoever to introduce the proposal.
“The EC must act in a responsible manner and not brush off serious questions over such fundamental and crucial matters, which go to the very basis of our democracy.”
With the recent developments concerning the redelineation of electoral boundaries, Azmin reminded the commission that they were not a power unto themselves and must act constitutionally and in the interest of the people.
“Arbitrary redelineation of electoral constituencies is a violation of the legitimate expectations of the people who are constitutionally entitled to exercise their voting rights and choose their representatives based on the observed track record of service and contribution.
“Displacing voters from their constituencies without proper justification is a denial of their legitimate expectations to the representatives and representation of their choice,’’ added Azmin.