The Kuala Lumpur Traveler

Would the new year 2009 brings any hope of a better election mechanisms to the people of this country? Too early to say of course. But with the new face at the helm of one of the most ‘happening’ government machinary ever, it is not too much to say we really have high hope on Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof, the new Election Commission Chief who had replaced Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman who, by the way, is planning to sue his critics for defamation for damaging his characters.

Hmmm…. in that case I hope Rashid would not forget to include himself too as one of the defendants in his legal action, if he ever dares to sue. That is because he himself is one of the reasons for his damaged reputation, in one instance, surrounding the indelible ink fiasco, just to name a case.

Back to Abdul Aziz, Malaysiakini reported that this new EC Chief will be pushing for improvements:

“This includes coordination with relevant agencies like the National Registration Department (NRD) and the police, along with (government printer) Percetakan Nasional Berhad.

“Maybe I will have forums with political parties to get their views on improving the Election Commission further,” said Abdul Aziz.

Source: Malaysiakini

So far so good, right? Maybe yes… maybe not. In the same Malaysiakini report….

Asked whether the commission was prepared to implement automatic voter registration, the new EC chairman said the proposal required careful study.

“I think it is also against human rights to force someone to be a voter. However, this matter would require detailed study as EC will have to study all the implications,” he said.

Is he saying, practically, automatic voter registration means forcing some one to vote? He he he…. does he know what he is talking about? Are we going to face same old ‘election stories’ from the new EC chief? Kuala Terengganu by-election will have some clues, I hope.

Image credit: Malaysiakini