AN activist academic has been approached to join the Election Commission, said newly appointed chairman Azhar Azizan Harun.

“I have approached a person who is a very good activist and academic. He’s from outside the civil service and I am going to push for him to be my deputy,” Azhar told BFM’s Melisa Idris on the Breakfast Grille today.

Azhar said he was also looking for new EC commissioners to come from civil servants, activists, and academics.

“Academics can come in with the knowledge and theory, and I’m also looking within the civil service, as we need continuity,” said Azhar.

Azhar announced last week that five commissioners, deputy chairman Othman Mahmood, Md Yusop Mansur, Abdul Aziz Khalidin, Sulaiman Narawi, and Leo Chong Cheong will end their tenure prematurely on January 1, 2019.

Election watchdog Bersih 2.0 has called on the remaining commissioner, Bala Singam Karupiah, to also resign.

Azhar said he is looking for those who know election laws and processes and is committed to fairness to fill up the spots.

He said EC only needs to act in accordance to the law to be seen as fair.

“Fairness is entrenched in the law and it’s not an alien concept,” said the lawyer.

Azhar said he will also be looking to balance the previous all-male commission with a woman candidate. – October 23, 2018.