Robust Multi Party Democracy The Way Forward Says Bersih

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Electoral watchdog Bersih 2.0 says the ‘New Malaysia’ must embrace real, vibrant and sustainable multi-party democracy.PETALING JAYA: The outcome of electoral reforms must not merely be to have clean, free and fair elections but for Malaysia to become a robust multi-party democracy, electoral watchdog Bersih 2.0 said today
Launching its report on the Electoral Reform Roundtable held on Nov 30 and Dec 1, 2018, Bersih said that despite the recent achievements, there were pressing areas in the electoral laws and regulations that required attention and change
It said the roundtable discussion, attended by local and international experts, had been a key step in ushering in “a New Malaysia that will be a real, vibrant and sustainable multi-party democracy”
“There can no multi-party democracy without free, fair and clean competition between political parties
“Although we recognise the gigantic tasks that lie ahead in re-establishing multi-party democracy, and mindful of the need to avoid becoming lost in the euphoria of change, we are determined to identify and overcome the challenges that make political competition work,” Bersih said in a joint statement with Global Bersih
The report listed 10 recommendations from the roundtable discussion, including moving away from the first-past-the-post (FPTP) system towards a more proportional system that can promote national unity and centrism
This would allow for healthy competition between coalition partners, and better represent the diverse population in Parliament
However, it said that if the FPTP system was retained, Malaysia should address issues of over and under-representation between the states as well as within each state
“Constituencies should also be fairly and impartially drawn. Seats should be distributed between the states on the basis of electorate size, while strict numerical standards should be reinstated for variations between constituencies,” it said
The report said the electoral rolls should be audited and managed in an open, inclusive and transparent manner to build public trust
A new geocoded National Address Database should be used to audit the electoral rolls and the civil registration records of the National Registration Department
On absentee voting, the report said it should be extended to voters living in neighbouring countries and elsewhere
“While absentee voting facilities should be provided for some domestic voters – in particular, East Malaysian voters in West Malaysia and vice versa – in the long run, voters should be encouraged to vote where they actually reside
“Military and police voters should also be given the option of voting in their home constituencies via absentee voting,” it said
Bersih also urged careful consideration before adopting any form of electronic and online voting because of auditing difficulties and securing public trust in such systems
Other highlights in the report:Fake newsWhile it should not be for government authorities to decide what is or is not “fake news”, the Election Commission and other authorities should play a role in monitoring political spending, electoral misconduct, and hate speech online.Political spendingThe regulation must be extended to political parties and third parties, both during and outside the campaign period, and to internal party elections.Political contributions, both in cash and in kind, should be declared and subject to limits. Parties should have equitable and unrestricted access to state media
Transition in governmentRules and guidelines should be drawn up for managing transitions in government, codifying best practice and caretaker conventions.Consideration should also be given to a constitutional amendment submitting defecting MPs to re-election
Election offencesLaws on election offences should be updated to clarify the roles and powers of the various state agencies and to empower the EC to monitor, investigate and penalise breaches of election offences laws.Election commissionersThe selection of these commissioners should be subject to scrutiny by a cross-party parliamentary committee. - FMT

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