Bersih provides their preferred criteria for the next EC chairman

PETALING JAYA: The Coalition for Free and Fair Elections (Bersih 2.0) have outlined three main criteria that should be considered by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad in selecting the next Election Commission (EC) chairman.
Bersih 2.0 acting chairman, Shahrul Aman Mohd Saari, said that it is paramount for the month old Pakatan Harapan (PH) government to select the new EC chief based on the criteria of integrity, impartiality and independence.
Shahrul said the candidate should also be knowledgeable in election laws and the electoral system.
"We believe that these criteria are essential in ensuring that the new chairman is independent, and has the capability to initiate reform en route to a free and fair election in the future.
"The same set of criteria should also apply in selecting EC commissioners as and when there is a vacant position," Shahrul Aman said during a press conference at the coalition's headquarters today.
He stressed that if the appointment is based on these criteria, then the PH government will be able to fulfill their election promise of ensuring a free and fair election, as well as restoring the public's trust in the nation's election system.
"The PH government must never repeat the mistake of the former government when they appointed a former Umno affiliate, Tan Sri Hashim Abdullah, as the EC chairman.
"Prior to his appointment as the EC chairman in Jan 2016, Hashim was Umno information chief Tan Sri Annuar Musa's personal aide for nine years from 1990 until 1999 and five years later he was appointed as EC deputy chairman," he said.
Also present at the press conference was the coalition's executive director, Yap Swee Seng.
Asked if the coalition had any individual in mind that was suitable for the post, both Shahrul and Yap said there were many who would do well in the role including former Bersih chairman Datuk S. Ambiga.
"However, ex-judges or good judges are also among the people who are qualified especially those who were brave enough to make judgments despite pressures from the previous administration," he explained.