ELECTORAL reform group Bersih 2.0 said it wants to send more than four observers to monitor the August 4 Sungai Kandis by-election.

It said it has yet to accept the Election Commission’s invitation for it to send accredited observers for the polls, called following the death PKR assemblyman Mat Shuhaimi Shafiei due to cancer on July 2.

Bersih executive director Yap Swee Seng told reporters today that more space needs to be given to civil society groups to ensure a thorough observation of the by-election.

“They should not limit the number of observers from civil society organisations,” he said at the group’s Petaling Jaya office.

Bersih has also requested for the terms of reference – such as observers’ rights, functions and access – to be made public.

It recommended for a campaign period of 14 days, and for polling be carried out on a weekend.

“We demand high standards by the EC, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, candidates, political parties and the Pakatan Harapan federal and state governments in the Sungai Kandis by-election,” said acting chairman Shahrul Aman Mohd Saari.

“We call on all quarters to make sure that the Sungai Kandis by-election is conducted in a clean and fair manner, and to set the benchmark for future elections.”

Shahrul Aman maintained that six EC commissioners should resign to show that they take responsibility for alleged electoral fraud and mismanagement in the 14th general election.

“They should no longer be given the responsibility to run any election in the country.”

Bersih said a high number of election offences and misconduct by contesting parties and the EC in the May 9 polls had been observed and reported. – July 11, 2018.