MY PROPOSAL ON THE ELECTORAL REFORMS

Today during the 2nd Parliamentary Select Committee - Electoral Reform meeting held at the Parliament, I presented my suggestion and opinion on the Reforms that should be considered. 

I would like to thank my colleagues Ravi, Lokman, Ashvin, Adilah, Dhinesh, MIC party members and my friends in Facebook & Twitter who gave me many inputs to be presented in the meeting. 

I spoke on Electoral Reforms: a practical approach to selected measures.

My presentation was based on 4 key areas and 9 initiatives, which are as follows;

KEY AREA 1: Administrative Steps

INITIATIVE 1: To install a neutral Government Caretaker once Parliament is dissolved.

INITIATIVE 2: Mandating the use of indelible ink.

INITIATIVE 3: Reform of the postal ballot system.

INITIATIVE 4: Extended campaign period.

KEY AREA 2: Media Access

INITIATIVE 5: Equal and fair access to be given to all candidates through all public media.

KEY AREA 3: Legislative Reforms

INITIATIVE 6: Auditing of political parties by independent auditors on election expenses.

INITIATIVE 7: Public access to RoS records on audited finances of political parties.

INITIATIVE 8: State funding to be limited according to size/geographical/population.

KEY AREA 4: Structural Reforms

INITIATIVE 9: Reform of voting system from first past the post.

Out of the 9 proposed initiatives, I think 6 could be implemented soon; which means if all involved in this reform exercise put in their maximum effort (including political parties) steps can be taken before the next general election.

The 6 initiatives for immediate action which could be implemented soon are as follows;

INITIATIVE 2
Mandating the use of indelible ink.
* The EC (Election Commission) can mandate the usage.

INITIATIVE 3
Reform of the postal ballot system.
* Communications to raise awareness on the difference between overseas voting vs postal ballot vs early voting. For overseas voting: Singapore system has so far shown to be practicable.

INITIATIVE 4
Extended campaign period.
* Again, following the Singapore module: 10 days with "cooling off" day on day before elections.

INITIATIVE 5
Equal and fair access to be given to all candidates through all public media.
* Campaign slots on radio/TV, ads in print media etc. to be offered fairly to all parties through a goodwill gesture.

INITIATIVE 6 & 7
Auditing of political parties by independent auditors on election expenses.
Public access to RoS records on audited finances of political parties.
* Legislative changes will not be able to be implemented fast enough for this to be a "quick win".
* Propose administrative directive issued to party chiefs.


While the remaining 3 (as follows;) could be a long-term plan, which could be tackled later.

INITIATIVE 1
To install a neutral Government Caretaker once Parliament is dissolved.
*Government to make appointment that is perceived as neutral.

INITIATIVE 8
State funding to be limited according to size/geographical/population.

* Changes to the laws to improve political funding take time - an administrative solution is proposed in the short term.
* There is no specific law governing political societies - a new law would need to be introduced.
* There has been much caution in amending societies law and regulations.
* Amendments to internal documents such as Memorandum and Articles of Association will require internal procedures to amend.

* As such, I'm proposing that an administrative directive be issued by party heads to:
-> Directly credit all donations to the party into the party accounts.
-> Maintain clear records of spending that enables audit.

INITIATIVE 9
Reform of voting system from first past the post.
*There area few options, for example Alternative Vote, Single Transferable Vote or even the Additional Member system. We need to further study the practicability.

NOTE: I am sorry for the spelling mistake I made earlier, it should be indelible and not as how I have spelt it earlier. I would like to thank the person who corrected me.