A BIPARTISAN parliamentary group has called for the Election Offences Act 1954 to be amended to regulate the use of government resources and machinery during election campaigns, saying the move is crucial to strengthening electoral integrity ahead of the 16th General Election.
Speaking on behalf of the All-Party Parliamentary Group Malaysia (APPGM) on Integrity, Governance and Anti-Corruption (IGAR), Shah Alam MP Azli Yusof said the amendment should be among the key electoral reforms to ensure free and fair elections.
“One of the key reforms that would strengthen electoral integrity, good governance and anti-corruption measures is the inclusion of provisions regulating the use of government resources and machinery during the election campaign period,” he told a press conference at Parliament lobby yesterday.
Azli also urged that the Election Commission’s (EC) enforcement powers be strengthened to enable it to act more effectively against electoral offences.
He said the EC should be empowered to issue fines for offences such as campaigning on polling day and to order the removal of campaign materials, including social media posts, that violate electoral regulations.
“At present, these enforcement powers rest with the police,” he added.
Azli said reforming electoral laws and regulations was essential before the next general election to ensure the electoral process remained transparent, credible and accountable.
“Their purpose is not to give an advantage to any political party, but to ensure that every stage of the electoral process is conducted fairly, freely and impartially.
“This will strengthen public confidence in the democratic system and ensure that the mandate expressed through the ballot box genuinely reflects the will of the people,” he said.
He added that reforming the country’s electoral legal framework was necessary to restore public confidence in the conduct and administration of elections.
