Bersih revs up reform bid ahead of redelineation
MalaysiaKini.com
Nov 3, 2014

Bersih is stepping up its effort to push for electoral reform after the Election Commission (EC) yesterday announced that it plans to gazette the redelineation of parliamentary and state boundaries at the end of this year.

The electoral reform movement will be holding a forum to revisit the flaws in the 13th general election and the subsequent findings of the People's Tribunal which scrutinised alleged irregularities.

"It is very timely to remind ourselves of the findings of the People's Tribunal because of the proposal by the EC to proceed with the delineation exercise.

"We must not take our eye off the ball. We must remember and let the People's Tribunal be a reminder of the fact that GE13 was not clean and fair and we must continue to strive for free and fair elections for the next generation," said former Bersih co-chairperson Ambiga Sreenvasan in a statement today.

Ambiga will be speaking at the forum titled 'GE13: Clean and Fair? The verdict of the People's Tribunal' together with serving Bersih chairperson Maria Chin Abdullah and law professor Gurdial Singh Nijar.

Meanwhile, Maria stressed the need for urgent action ahead of EC's plan to finalise the redelineation.

"We cannot wait until the elections are around the corner to act.

"We have to be vigilant against rampant manipulation by the very institutions that are entrusted to deliver our fundamental right to self-determination.

"This requires continuous public involvement in holding them to account," she said.

The tribunal, organised by Bersih and comprising an international panel, recommended that the distortion in electoral boundaries be rectified to more closely reflect the principle of "one person, one vote and one value".

It also warned that the country was at risks or serious divisions if elections are rendered impossible to institute change.

The forum will take place at Mandarin Court Hotel at 8pm on Wednesday.

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