EC to set up body to educate voters on elections

Many voters do not understand the election process and are susceptible to slanders and accusations hurled against the Election Commission, its chief says today. – The Malaysian Insider file pic, March 9, 2016.The Election Commission (EC) will set up a special secretariat to provide information to the people on the election process to change negative perception against the independent body.

Its chairman, Datuk Seri Mohd Hashim Abdullah, said many voters did not understand the election process which caused them to believe slanders and accusations hurled by irresponsible parties against the EC.

For that purpose, he said, former EC employees with experience and understanding of election laws and regulations would be recalled to join the secretariat to provide training and conduct an awareness campaign.

“EC will also cooperate with other training and skills institutes to obtain a slot in their courses to provide exposure on election procedures,” he said after the opening ceremony of Menara SPR by Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia in Putrajaya today.

The 10-storey building constructed at a cost of RM126.7 million was occupied by EC on February 14.

Since it was set up in 1957, EC had been placed in five locations, namely Bangunan Sultan Abdul Samad, Kuala Lumpur; Bangunan Yayasan Selangor, Kuala Lumpur; Bangunan Tong Ah, Kuala Lumpur; Menara Bank Pembangunan, Kuala Lumpur; and now, Complex C.

Commenting on the Sarawak elections which were scheduled to be held in April, he said EC was 90% ready to hold them.

Hashim said he had met all parties involved directly in the state elections, including political parties, authorities, media as well as 21,000 election personnel. – Bernama, March 9, 2016.