BERSIH 2.0 Demands

I chatted with a friend earlier today, and I was not very pleased when he condemned those people who joined BERSIH 2.0 rally a couple of months back. He said, they’re just creating havoc in the country and going against the ruling government and wants the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong’s sovereignty to be stripped off.

To be fair, I am quite certain that some of those who joined the rally back then joined the rally for the sake of joining, and doesn’t really know what they’re rallying for. Some are not even voters, even. How many of them are under-aged? And how many of them are actual voters?

There must be some truth in the claim that some people do not exactly know what they’re fighting for, cuz if you grab some of those people who joined the rally back then and ask them what they are fighting for, some of them may not be able to tell you why.

But I am aware that the idea of the rally itself was definitely not to create havoc or chaos in the country. BERSIH 2.0 is a peaceful demonstration turned awry with many political parties getting involved.

Did you know what BERSIH 2.0 was really all about? It’s a demonstration to fight for clean and fair election. These are their demands:

1. Clean the electoral roll

The electoral roll is marred with irregularities such as deceased persons and multiple persons registered under a single address or non-existent addresses. The electoral roll must be revised and updated to wipe out these ‘phantom voters’. The rakyat have a right to an electoral roll that is an accurate reflection of the voting population.

In the longer term, BERSIH 2.0 also calls for the EC to implement an automated voter registration system upon eligibility to reduce irregularities.

2. Reform postal ballot

The current postal ballot system must be reformed to ensure that all citizens of Malaysia are able to exercise their right to vote. Postal ballot should not only be open for all Malaysian citizens living abroad, but also for those within the country who cannot be physically present in their voting constituency on polling day. Police, military and civil servants too must vote normally like other voters if not on duty on polling day.

The postal ballot system must be transparent. Party agents should be allowed to monitor the entire process of postal voting.

3. Use of indelible ink

Indelible ink must be used in all elections. It is a simple, affordable and effective solution in preventing voter fraud. In 2007, the EC decided to implement the use of indelible ink. However, in the final days leading up to the 12th General Elections, the EC decided to withdraw the use of indelible ink citing legal reasons and rumours of sabotage.

BERSIH 2.0 demands for indelible ink to be used for all the upcoming elections. Failure to do so will lead to the inevitable conclusion that there is an intention to allow voter fraud.

4. Minimum 21 days campaign period

The EC should stipulate a campaign period of not less than 21 days. A longer campaign period would allow voters more time to gather information and deliberate on their choices. It will also allow candidates more time to disseminate information to rural areas. The first national elections in 1955 under the British Colonial Government had a campaign period of 42 days but the campaign period for 12th GE in 2008 was a mere 8 days.

5. Free and fair access to media

It is no secret that the Malaysian mainstream media fails to practice proportionate, fair and objective reporting for political parties of all divide. BERSIH 2.0 calls on the EC to press for all media agencies, especially state-funded media agencies such as Radio and Television Malaysia (RTM) and Bernama to allocate proportionate and objective coverage for all potlical parties.

6. Strengthen public institutions

Public institutions must act independently and impartially in upholding the rule of law and democracy. Public institutions such as the Judiciary, Attorney-General, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Agency (MACC), Police and the EC must be reformed to act independently, uphold laws and protect human rights.

In particular, the EC must perform its constitutional duty to act independently and impartially so as to enjoy public confidence. The EC cannot continue to claim that they have no power to act, as the law provides for sufficient powers to institute a credible electoral system.

7. Stop corruption

Corruption is a disease that has infected every aspect of Malaysian life. BERSIH 2.0 and the rakyat demand for an end to all forms of corruption. Current efforts to eradicate corruption are mere tokens to appease public grouses. We demand that serious action is taken against ALL allegations of corruption, including vote buying.

8. Stop dirty politics

Malaysians are tired of dirty politics that has been the main feature of the Malaysian political arena. We demand for all political parties and politicians to put an end to gutter politics. As citizens and voters, we are not interested in gutter politics; we are interested in policies that affect the nation.

So… those who are counter rallying and going against this idea and using force to stop people from demanding a fair election…is that to say that they do not want clean and fair election and will do whatever in their power to remain in power so that they can continue to be unscrupulous and corrupt?
Cleffairy: I am a voter. I don’t want my vote to be manipulated. I also do not want anybody using my identity to vote. Are you a voter? Do you want your vote to be manipulated? And do you like the idea of something having a hold of your identity?

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