PSC Hopes Proposals To Improve Election Process Implemented In 13th General Election

KOTA BAHARU, Jan 7 (Bernama) -- The Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) on electoral reforms hopes the proposals of various groups raised at its public hearings for decision by Parliament, could be implemented in the coming 13th general election.

Its chairman, Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili, said the six-month mandate of the committee would end in April and it was finalising its reform report for Parliament.

"The power to dissolve Parliament is the absolute power of the prime minister, and the important thing is that we complete the task," he told reporters on the first day of a two-day public hearing at the Kota Darul Naim state operations centre here.

Ongkili, who is also science, technology and innovation minister, said at the moment, 10 proposals had been presented to Parliament, including the usage of indelible ink tabled by the committee.

He said, among the proposals put forward were the lowering of eligible voter age from 21 to 18 years, strengthening of the Election Commission and doing away with by-elections upon the death of an incumbent, with the incumbent party deciding on the replacement.