MP moots new body to handle electoral redelineation

Saifuddin Abdullah says the duty should be separated from the EC as part of broader efforts to build a more independent, transparent, and credible electoral system.

Saifuddin Abdullah, a former minister, said the separation of duties should be part of broader efforts to build a more independent, transparent, and credible electoral system.

He said the EC should not continue to shoulder the dual responsibilities of conducting elections while overseeing the redelineation of electoral boundaries.

“There should be a clear separation of responsibilities from the EC through the creation of a new body dedicated to electoral redelineation, instead of having both major functions remain under the EC as they are now.

“The appointment process for the EC chairman and the head of this new body must also be transparent,” he said in his Merentas Ruang column published by Sinar Harian.

Under existing provisions, the EC may only carry out redelineation exercises at eight-year intervals. The respective dates are Aug 21, 2023 for Sarawak, Feb 21, 2025 for Sabah, and March 9, 2026 for Peninsular Malaysia.

Beyond redelineation, Saifuddin said Malaysia’s electoral laws require reform, including a review of spending limits for election campaigns which he described as no longer practical.

He said such reforms were necessary to ensure that political parties compete on a more level playing field, rather than one disproportionately shaped by financial resources.

Saifuddin also reiterated the need for a Political Financing Act to curb corruption, abuse of power, and the influence of money in politics.

He likewise stressed the need for a fixed-term Parliament to enhance political stability.

In April, the Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs questioned the lack of government plans to introduce a political financing bill under the second phase of its Madani accountability framework, saying this was a key reform.

In January, deputy law and institutional reform minister M Kulasegaran said the government was awaiting the results of a public perception study before finalising the bill.

In February, Bersih renewed the call for the introduction of a Fixed-term Parliament Act to prevent political instability caused by mid-term changes of government. Law and institutional reform minister Azalina Othman Said said in 2024 that the proposed bill was under close study.