ALL of the Election Commission’s (EC) actions are unconstitutional as the polls regulator is now controlled by a single person, said Umno secretary-general Annuar Musa.

EC chairman Azhar Azizan Harun sits as its lone commissioner after deputy chairman Othman Mahmood, along with Md Yusof Mansur, Abdul Aziz Khalidin, Sulaiman Narawi and Leo Chong Cheong stepped down on January 1.

Annuar said based on his consultation with five senior lawyers, he believed that it was mandatory that the commission must consist of seven people.

“In the spirit of the Constitution, the commission cannot be a one-man show.

“Especially in making major decisons. Today, they will decide to serve a writ to call for another by election. But, it’s a one-man decision, ” he said after a breakfast event in Tanah Rata, Cameron Highlands.

“This is not in line with the constitution.”

Annuar was reffering to the Semenyih state seat, where a by-election is must be held after the death of assemblyman Bakhtiar Mohd Nor, 57, due to a heart attack. 

Earlier this week, Azhar said he has the authority to set the polling date for the Semenyih by-election – the sixth since the 14th general election last year – in the absence of other commission members.

Annuar today said EC could not function with only one person, as “the constitution states that it’s clear and mandatory that it must consist of seven people”.

“The rule of law continues be to set aside and the most fundamental process for the election in the democratic system does not apply.”

He said this was proof that Pakatan Harapan was overriding the principle of the rule of law, and was not serious about carrying out its reform agenda.

“No one is above the law, regardless of the monarchy, the sultan, the prime minister or any agency representing the government,” said Annuar.

“This is an important feature of democracy.

“Failure to comply with all the basic requirements to the principle of law is a threat to democracy.” – January 18, 2019.