No Instruction For EC To Scrap Ink Plan, Says Abdullah
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi has denied that it was the government who had instructed the Election Commission (EC) to scrap its plan of using indelible ink in the last general election.
Abdullah said, although in principle the government made the decision, it was delivered in the form of an opinion and not instruction.
But EC which handles elections in Malaysia has the final say, he said
He was commenting on a statement by EC Chairman Tan Sri Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman that the Cabinet did not approve the use of indelible ink although the EC had initially agreed to use it.
"The election ran smoothly, the results have been announced and everybody has accepted it so, why should it be made an issue," he said. Read the Bernama report here
(So who's telling the truth? Obviously one of them is lying.)
Earlier report:
Remember the announcement made by the Election Commission three days before the March 8 polls that the indeilible ink was not going to be used on polling day citing public order and security reasons?
Election Commission (EC) chairman Tan Sri Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman said then the EC was obliged to make a firm and final decision to ensure the smooth conduct of the 12th general election.
Of course, we didnt buy the reasons given and the only conclusion we could make from the announcement was that the Barisan was losing big time on the ground and resorting to using another dirty trick, (read here and here)
Today Rashid dsiclosed that it was the Cabinet's decision not to approve the use of use of indelible ink during the March 8 election and he was told to take responsibility for agreeing to it.
"The Cabinet gave two very strong reasons why they did not agree to it – security and the law - Article 119, concerning the basic right for everyone to vote, and I agreed with them," he said.
It’s not easy being EC chairperson. I took the rap over the years,” Abdul Rashid said, adding that the commission wanted a review of election regulations.
He said that the commission should have a bigger control over the electoral process under Article 113 to Article 120 of the Federal Constitution. To continue, read here
