ELECTORAL watchdog Bersih 2.0 has called for the removal of all seven members of the Election Commission as the first step of short-term electoral reforms.

In a memorandum delivered to the newly formed institutional reform committee today, Bersih acting chairman Shahrul Aman Mohd Saari called on all seven members to step down immediately.

“If they refuse, the prime minister must initiate immediate steps to remove the EC members, by recommending the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (to take action),” he said at the Ilham Tower in Kuala Lumpur today, where the committee is meeting.

The seven members of the EC are its chairman, Mohd Hashim Abdullah, Othman Haji Mahmood, Md Yusop Haji Mansor, Abdul Aziz Khalidin, Sulaiman Haji Narawi, Bala Singam Karupiah, and Leo Chong Cheong.

The men were said by Bersih to have committed 10 “serious crimes” against Malaysian voters, and ruined the integrity of the recently concluded 14th general election.

If they refuse to resign, the Agong can suspend them and grant leaves of absence to the chairman and deputy chairman, pending an investigation and full removal process in accordance with Article 114(7)1 of the federal constitution.

The king can also appoint a tribunal to remove the EC in accordance with Articles 114(3)2 and 125 of the federal constitution.

Bersih also recommended the appointment of an interim commission on a two-year interim basis to institute electoral reforms before the next Sarawak state elections, which are due by 2021.

The interim EC must consist of at least three representatives from civil society who have the necessary experience in electoral reform and command public confidence, Shahrul said.

The watchdog also recommended a royal commission of inquiry on elections be initiated within six months and that criminal charges be made based against the officers responsible for electoral fraud, based on the findings of the RCI. – May 23, 2018.