UMNO Thanks EC

Just as the new Election Commission chairman, Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Yusof denies any consideration of the UMNO party elections in the setting of the by-election dates of Bukit Gantang and Bukit Selambau, UMNO leaders wasted no effort in thanking EC for helping them out(!)

As reported in The Star,

Umno information chief Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib said the commission had exercised its discretion in timing the polls so that they would not overlap with the Umno event.

“The Election Commission is being practical otherwise there would be a conflict of agenda between the Umno meeting and the by-elections,” said Muhammad, one of the three candidates for the Umno deputy president’s post.

So it's quite clear, who's the real boss in Election Commission.  Not even any pretence of independence or impartiality.

Where's The Credibility?

On 20 January 2009, Prime Minister in-waiting said:

Barisan Nasional (BN) leaders should break out of their comfort zones and reorientate their approach to be constantly in tune with the people's aspiration, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said today.

Calling on BN leaders to raise to the occasion, the deputy prime minister also urged them to rearrange their strategies and resolve to make changes not only to themselves but also to the party for the sake of the people and country.

Can you believe him?

(I'm biased of course, as I was charged in court for lighting up candles in public without permit within 3 days of him making the statement)

Now we have the new Chairman of Election Commission, telling us with a straight face that the nomination date, is set more than a month away on 29 March has "nothing to do with the UMNO General Assembly" that is scheduled to be held from 24 to 28 March.

He was quick to deny the scheduled dates were made to accommodate the Umno party polls in late March, saying the law required the by-elections to be held within 60 days of the seats being vacant, which falls on April 11.

"The date was chosen for the convenience and comfort of all parties and not with any political considerations," said Abdul Aziz, who assumed the post six weeks ago.

He said the situation in Perak was still tense after a government switch and the time-frame for the Bukit Gantang by-election would allow all parties to "cool off", adding he was hopeful there would be a high voter turnout despite polling day being a Tuesday.

Yeah, right. He's an UMNO stooge, no question about it.

Oh, and BN reform? My foot.

New Election Commission Chairman A BN Puppet

... and a major disappointment and disgrace too.

The new Election Commission chairman, Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Yusof was appointed in January this year, and the issue of the Perak state by-elections presented the first major test of the competency and impartiality of the new chairman after the previous one was looked upon with contempt.

However, it is unfortunate that the Commission's decision today to not call for the by-elections, which went against the ruling of the Perak state assembly speaker on the vacancy of the 2 state seats.

Tan Sri Abdul Aziz went to the extent of declaring that "it is not the place of the speaker to declare the seats vacant, but to keep the EC informed; it is the EC's role to declare the vacancies. The EC's responsibility is to determine if there is a vacancy or not. Our answer is not."

This is an absolute and blatant contempt of the state constitution of Perak, and serves only to prove the impartiality and incompetence of Tan Sri Abdul Aziz, who acts as a stooge for his Barisan Nasional paymasters.

Can the decision of the Speaker be subject to challenge? Of course, but only by the aggrieved parties through the court of law. For e.g., the 2 affected assemblyman could file of an injuction against the EC or the state assembly.

Even the former tainted chairman of the election commission has stated that the EC has no choice but hold elections unless otherwise instructed by the courts. But it is certainly NOT the place for the Election Commission whose role is to effect elections when requested by the Parliament or the respective state assemblies, and not make the decision as to whether there should be elections.