KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 30 — Indelible ink alone does not guarantee fair elections, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim echoed today, urging the Parliament Select Committee (PSC) to consider all of Bersih’s reform demands. The Opposition leader pointed out the electoral reforms group had various concerns still unaddressed by the special committee tasked to improve the current elections process.
“Pakatan Rakyat is committed and demands that the PSC also studies thoroughly all the demands brought by Bersih in ensuring a free and fair elections process,” Anwar (picture) said in a statement today.
The PKR defacto leader listed down a host of issues which the PSC needed to look at — including pushing for a freer media as well as open campaigning.
He said that government media agencies like RTM and Bernama should not “discriminate” PR parties in their daily news coverage and should instead aim to provide a more holistic coverage.
Anwar also lamented that the short campaigning period for elections, saying ten days was too brief for proper dissemination of information to voters.
He also stressed that there was a need to monitor the Election Commission (EC)’s commitment through a “free and fair” judiciary.
The PSC announced yesterday the use of indelible ink by February 1 next year — where a person is required to dip his or her left index finger in the liquid before being allowed to cast his vote. The ink lasts approximately 48 hours.
The PSC on ensuring a free and fair elections process was formed after the highly-contentious July 9 rally, which saw thousands of people marching in the streets of Kuala Lumpur demanding for immediate electoral reforms.
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