Former Election Commission chairman Tan Sri Mohd Hashim Abdullah (centre) at a press conference during the 14th General Election. With him is the current chairman Tan Sri Othman Mahmood (left) and EC secretary Datuk Abdul Ghani Salleh. The government is considering setting up a tribunal to investigate misconduct allegations against the EC. - Bernama
PETALING JAYA: A tribunal will be set up by the government to investigate the many allegations of misconduct committed by the Election Commission (EC) in the run-up to the 14th General Election.
Online news portal MalaysiaKini reported that the move was part of the government's efforts to clean up the EC and possibly to remove commissioners suspected of wrongdoing.
It reported that several former Federal Court judges would be appointed to the tribunal, adding that a team had also been formed by the Attorney-General's Chambers to assist the tribunal.
It said former solicitor-general II, Datuk Mohd Yusof Zainal Abiden and lawyer M Puravalen would be representing the AG's Chambers in the tribunal.
The EC members comprise former EC chairman Tan Sri Mohd Hashim Abdullah, current deputy Tan Sri Othman Mahmood, commissioners Datuk Md Yusop Mansor, Datuk Abdul Aziz Khalidin, Sulaiman Narawi, Datuk Bala Singam Karupiah and Datuk Leo Chong Cheong.
Electoral watchdog Bersih 2.0 had previously stated that a tribunal should be set up to investigate seven top EC members in charge of GE14 for electoral malpractice.
Bersih 2.0 acting chairman Shahrul Aman Mohd Saari listed down 10 "major misconduct" by the seven EC members.
The 10 offences listed include unconstitutional redelineation, limitation of voter registration, setting polling day on a weekday, short campaign period, last-minute conditions on campaign materials, manipulation of election observation, arbitrarily disqualifying candidates on nomination day, irregularities with advance voting, conduct of elections on polling day and, finally, failure to act on election offences.
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