Bersih 2.0 hopeful for a new and improved EC

KUALA LUMPUR: Hopeful for a new Election Commission to be formed, election watchdog Bersih 2.0 is willing to engage and share resources for better accountability in its operations.
Its secretariat manager Mandeep Singh (pix) said Bersih has the relevant expertise in contributing to electoral reforms.
"We hope a new EC will be installed soon and we are hoping it will engage with civil societies.
"Bersih is ever ready to provide our expertise and resources if it is willing to engage with us," he told theSun when contacted.
However, Mandeep noted that this does not mean the current EC can walk free from all the allegations of misconduct against it since before elections.
He said EC chairman Tan Sri Mohd Hashim Abdullah and the other commissioners must still be held accountable and answerable for all the allegations raised.
Mounting pressure on the EC to explain itself, Mandeep stressed that the EC has maintained its deafening silence despite its preliminary findings on the 14th general elections (GE14).
"Even if the EC chairman and the other commissioners resign, they are still answerable to all the allegations against them.
"Bersih has consistently called for action and accountability from the EC and we have even produced enough evidence on all the complaints that come to us," he said.
Mandeep said the EC should also be given the opportunity to explain and justify itself on the complaints and queries raised.
Reiterating its call for a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) on the EC, Mandeep said the inquiry would be able to put forth appropriate proposals for electoral reforms.
He added that Bersih's full comprehensive report on the GE14 including recommendations on electoral reforms will be ready in a month's time.
Pakatan Harapan had reportedly pledged in its manifesto to place the EC under Parliamentary monitoring, making the appointment of its members subject to the legislative body's approval.