FORMER Bangi MP Ong Kian Ming has put forward four names to fill the Election Commission chair.

They are EC deputy chief Azmi Sharom, EC member Dr Mohd Faisal Hazis, former Bersih chairman Ambiga Sreenevasan, and political scientist Wong Chin Huat.

Ong said the candidates must be vetted by the Special Parliamentary Select Committee on Human Rights, Elections, and Institutional Reform before they are proposed to the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong for consideration, mandated in Article 114 of the Federal Constitution.

The EC chair has been empty since Abdul Ghani Salleh retired on May 9 after four years at the helm.

Ong said the government must choose wisely because the EC chief will be overseeing the delimitation of constituencies, which will profoundly impact Malaysian electoral politics for years to come.

“This delimitation exercise will shape electoral politics in Malaysia for the next decade if not longer. It will influence the balance of power within and between the states of Malaysia” he said in a statement.

The new EC chairman will also have the responsibility of putting in place more processes and policies that should even the electoral playing field, regardless of who is the government of the day.

“If parliament is bypassed and the recommendation (is made) solely at the discretion of the prime minister, this would be a lost opportunity for the Madani government to showcase its reformist credentials.”

Ong said the position of the EC chairman had always been held by a candidate from the civil service with the exception of Azhar Azizul Harun, a lawyer by training. Azhar resigned to take up the role of Dewan Rakyat speaker in 2020 following a change of government.

Ong said the EC chairman must be non-partisan and respected by both sides of the political divide. The person must be well-versed in laws governing elections and the delimitation of constituencies and must also command public confidence, as stated in Article 114 (2) of the Federal Constitution, he added.

Civil society movements Tindak Malaysia and Bersih have asked that the government discuss potential EC candidates with the Parliamentary Special Select Committee before presenting the candidate to the king. Tindak Malaysia said the government must amend Article 114 of the constitution to allow the opposition leader to have a say in the process.

Under the present system, the EC chair, deputy chair, and five commissioners are appointed by the king after consultation with the Conference of Rulers. The constitution states that the EC members must enjoy public confidence. – May 17, 2024.