PSC Early Report Submits 10 Proposals

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 30 (Bernama) -- The preliminary report of the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) for Electoral Reforms submitted 10 proposals to ensure the election process is carried out independently and fairly.

The report which was distributed to members of parliament at the Dewan Rakyat Wednesday was expected to be tabled tomorrow.

The proposals were submitted after the committee heard the views of numerous parties including non-governmental organisations and individuals, and the feedback received from members of the committee.

The 10 proposals were on using indelible ink in the 13th General Election, early voting, absentee voters abroad, non-resident voters, and changing of registration areas.

The proposals also touched on cleaning up the electoral roll, additional electoral roll display, transparency of the election process, improving the nomination process and strengthening the Election Commission (EC). On cleaning up the electoral roll, the report said the PSC took into consideration the effort of the EC to clean up the list, including displaying the names of unverifiable voters.

However, the committee also noted the lingering doubts about a clean electoral roll, especially in Sabah where there have been names claimed to be uneligible voters in the list, or for whatever reason.

As such, the committee suggested that the EC appoint Mimos Berhad (Mimos) to verify such claims as two voters with the same identity card number, voters who are still listed although they had died, and voters who are not citizens.

Other issues raised were on voters who were 90 years old and above, many voters using one address, and voters no longer eligible to vote.

The PSC also noted the calls for a royal commission be set up to investigate the issue of foreigners dubiously obtaining citizenship and registering as voters, particularly in Sabah.

Although the issue is wide and outside the terms of reference of the committee, it was suggested that a royal commission be set up as a long-term solution.

On improving the nomination process, the PSC proposed that the process of protest on the nomination day be abolished other than suggesting the withdrawal period of candidates be done away with.

The setting up of the committee was approved in the Dewan Rakyat on Oct 3 with the members comprising five parliamentarians from Barisan Nasional (BN), three from the opposition, and an independent.

The PSC is chaired by Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili.

The committee held five meetings to discuss various matters, besides public hearing sessions with representatives of non-governmental organisations and individuals.