THE WATCHDOG THAT NEEDS A WATCHDOG

THE WATCHDOG THAT NEEDS A WATCHDOG
4/07/2010 11:14:00 AM

Lovingly unplugged by masterwordsmith

It was with a heavy heart that I read THIS REPORT in The Malaysian Insider about how the Election Commission (EC) has dropped the local election watchdog, Malaysians for Free and Fair Elections (Mafrel), as official election monitors in the Hulu Selangor by-election. The reason - it has not sent reports for the previous nine by-elections since Election 2008.

As we all know, the Elections Commission recognizes Mafrel as the only election watchdog. Two days ago, Selangor Umno deputy chief Datuk Seri Noh Omar slammed them as “mouthpieces of the opposition” two days ago for saying the coalition broke election rules ahead of the April 25 vote.

With this development, it is likely that Mafrel could lose EC accreditation but it can still operate as election watchdog for the Hulu Selangor by-election when campaigning starts after nomination on April 17 .

I do not want to sound dogmatic but I firmly believe that any organization must have its books in order be it reports or accounts or documentation. It is one thing to be all fired up for a cause but one must always abide by official expectations.

This development is most disappointing for many Malaysians because MAFREL, which was appointed by the Elections Commission in 2009, is the only watchdog that monitors and reports on everything related to the conduct of elections.

It is with dismay that I read about Wan Ahmad's statement that they had given reminders after reminders to Mafrel to send in their reports but after nine by-elections starting from Permatang Pauh, not even one has been received.

Why? The report in MI does not have any statement from Mafrel explaining this situation. So how?

Wan Ahmad said that this can be perceived as “going against the conditions of appointment” as the condition of appointment was that MAFREL had to send monitoring reports. He clarified that since the Permatang Pauh by-election (in August 2008) until the Bagan Pinang by-election last year, Mafrel has not sent a report despite reminders.

As an independent body, of course Mafrel can still monitor the elections but then, what will this development mean?

There are other issues which were brought up and you can see these HERE.

I am sure Mafrel has excellent motives in monitoring the elections and we need such watchdogs to ensure clean and fair elections. However, I also hope that they will get their house in order for how can one be a watchdog if they need another watchdog to ensure they finish their reports?

Very saddening.

http://masterwordsmith-unplugged.blogspot.com/2010/04/watchdog-that-needs-watchdog.html