The Malaysian Insight

THE electoral system, including its laws and practices, will undergo a complete review for the purpose of reform and improvement said Electoral Reform Committee (ERC) chairman Abdul Rashid Abd Rahman.

This is to ensure that future elections would be conducted in a transparent, fair and free manner and that the mistakes of the Election Commission (EC) in past polls would not be repeated, he said.

“Reviewing suitable electoral systems is a step towards improving the ‘first past the post’ system, which we currently practise.

“We want a new system and new laws that are on par with international standards. This country will have new election laws,” Abdul Rashid said at a press conference today.

He stressed that the exercise was not merely a rebranding of the EC but an exhaustive review and reform of the system.

Abdul Rashid also told reporters that proposals to lower the voting age to 18 and implement an automatic voter registration system would also be studied.

He acknowledged that there had been some opposition to his appointment to the reform committee as he had also been criticised by then opposition parties and civil societies during his tenure as EC chairman.

However, he pledged to lead the committee in conducting a thorough review of the electoral system, adding that all proposals brought up by civil societies in the past would be considered.

“There was some controversy… Other people wanted this role. Unfortunately, I was appointed. I didn’t ask for this job,” he said.

“But I think the government considered me because of my background. Maybe, because I’ve been exposed to the outside, I can use that experience as a guide to carry out my responsibilities here.” – August 29, 2018.