EC MULLS INVITING INTERNATIONAL OBSERVERS

BANGKOK, July 1 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's Election Commission (EC) is looking
into inviting international observers in the coming election, EC chairman Abdul
Aziz Mohd Yusof said.

Saying that allowing international observers was a good practice, he said,
the EC would, however, look into various aspects including costs before deciding
on the matter.

Speaking in an interview with TV3 and Bernama, here, Abdul Aziz said the
move would allow the observers to see for themselves the way Malaysia conducts
its elections.

Abdul Aziz is here on the invitation of Thailand's election commission to
monitor the country's election on Sunday.

Malaysia is among 13 countries invited to observe the election -- a move
which Thailand hopes will enhance confidence of the international community in
the country's election.

Abdul Aziz described the invitation as an honour to the EC, saying it
reflects confidence in the commission's ability and in Malaysia's election
system.

"If they didn't recognise our election system, they would not have called
us to become part of the international observers," he said.

When asked what were the criteria of a free and fair election in the eyes
of the international observers, Abdul Aziz said, electors should be free to vote
and not being influenced or forced to vote only for certain parties.

The candidates, on the other hand, should be free to campaign, he said.
Electors should be allow to listen to or follow the campaign and there should be
no fraud or corruption.

Asked on the eight demands by the Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections
(Bersih), Abdul Aziz said, there was always a room for improvement. He stressed
that the EC did not view itself as a perfect entity.

He also explained the EC's positions with respect to some of the demands,
including:

* Clean the electoral roll -- He said this was being done on a daily basis
but the public should also play their role in informing the EC about their
status.

There was no proof of voters being able to cast their votes more than once
and that there had been no such cases being brought to the court.

* Minimum 21 days campaign period -- The EC is looking into this, as well as
the request for the campaign period to be shortened. The EC will also look into
the matter from the security aspect.

* Use of indelible ink -- The EC is looking into the use of the much more
scientific biometric system.

* Free and fair access to media -- The EC cannot order the media to provide
coverage for any party. The EC, however, can discuss with the media to give
space to all parties.

* Stop corruption -- The EC agrees with this but it has no expertise on the
matter.

The EC, he said, would get the help of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption
Commission.

* Strengthen public institutions -- He said this was not within the EC's
jurisdictions.

* Reform postal ballot system -- The EC is looking into this, including the
proposal for an advance voting system similar to the one implemented by
Thailand, with electors allowed to vote earlier or on polling day.

The system, however, had its own inherent problems, he said.

He stressed that some of the demands were not under the EC's jurisdictions.

Bersih had initially submitted 17 demands but reduced them to eight
following discussions with the EC, he added.

"Had Bersih continued with the discussion, we would have been able to reduce
them to about three issues," he said, adding that Bersih's illegal rally planned
for July 9 would not solve anything.

"Demonstrations won't solve anything. It doesn't mean that the EC will agree
to their demand if they demonstrate," he said.
-- BERNAMA