The Malaysian Insider understands that Barisan Nasional (BN) MPs in the committee insisted today that marking voters to avoid multiple voting could be implemented.
But Election Commission (EC) chief Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof, who was also present at today’s meeting, has stated that the Federal Constitution does not allow authorities to force a voter to be marked with permanent ink.
De facto law minister Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz also said earlier this year that the government cannot stop someone from exercising his right to vote.
“In the end, they admitted that they are still waiting for the Attorney-General’s opinion on the matter,” a source said.
The EC had initially planned to use RM2.4 million worth of indelible ink for the 2008 general election but backed out at the 11th hour citing public order and security issues.
Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has claimed that the last-minute change cost his coalition 15 federal seats.
Datuk Seri Najib Razak pledged to form the bipartisan committee after over a month of international condemnation following his administration’s clampdown on the July 9 Bersih rally for free and fair elections.
The government also promised to adopt Bersih’s eight demands, which include cleaning up the electoral roll and extending campaign periods, as part of the committee’s scope.
The coalition of 62 NGOs has since gone on a nationwide campaign, demanding the government fulfil the eight demands before calling for a general election that is expected soon.
Opposition leaders, who strongly back Bersih, have also warned that further rallies will be held if the government fails to implement these demands.
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