THE current crop of commissioners in the Election Commission can stay said PAS, a component party of the ruling coalition Perikatan Nasional.

PAS’s endorsement of the EC under chairman Azhar Azizan Harun was in response to a statement by a former senior EC official that Azhar should leave the post following the change in government.

Azhar was appointed by the former Pakatan Harapan government after it won the 14th general election.

“PAS is of the opinion that the chairman and the current members of commission need not resign following the change of government from PH to Perikatan Nasional,” said PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan.

“It is clear from the constitution that there is no provision that says they must do so, as long as they receive the public’s support,” Takiyuddin said.

Former EC deputy chairman Wan Ahmad Wan Omar said Azhar and his team should resign to maintain the impartiality of the EC.

Wan Ahmad questioned Azhar’s ability to be impartial due to the latter’s background as an activist.

In his statement today, Takiyuddin said that Azhar and his team had successfully conducted numerous by-elections since being appointed in 2018.

“PAS sees the EC under Azhar’s leadership as conducting by-elections efficiently professionally and impartially.” – March 7, 2020.