EC told: Be transparent on polls rezoning
Published on: Friday, October 31, 2014
KUALA LUMPUR: Polls watchdog Bersih 2.0 demanded that the Election Commission (EC) be fully transparent in its announcements on the proposed delineation exercise, saying this was necessary to allow public involvement in the process.In a statement here, the group said the EC should reveal the date for its report on the exercise to allow the public ample time to review the proposed changes to their electoral boundaries and provide input."There is a pressing need for information so it is possible for the public to make protest representation on the proposed boundaries within the allotted time period," the group's steering committee said in the statement.ADVERTISEMENT It stressed, however, that the 30-day period given for objections is too short, calling it "extremely restrictive".Bersih 2.0 also asked that the EC make sure that its new constituency maps, including its digital version, are made available at no cost.The maps should also be disseminated nationwide, instead of just in Putrajaya, the group said."These steps will ensure the public have the opportunity to fully review the proposals to ensure the new boundaries are in the best interests of their communities," it said.ADVERTISEMENT Last week, EC secretary Datuk Abdul Ghani Salleh said it is preparing administrative work for the nationwide delineation exercise.The work involves gathering development information and increase in residents and voters, he said.
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Abdul Ghani also said that an initial draft report of the delineation exercise will be produced before the delineation proposals are forwarded to the Dewan Rakyat speaker and the prime minister.Bersih 2.0 also questioned if the EC would uphold the fundamental principle of "one person, one vote, one value" when determining the size of constituencies.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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"We stress the constitutional provision to maintain 'approximately equal' constituencies can not be stretched to mean some constituencies can be two or three times larger than others."We strongly urge the EC to take these issues into consideration and provide the public with comprehensive explanations of the delineation process.