Penang state govt questions EC’s neutrality on third vote
The Penang state government today questioned the neutrality of the Election Commission (EC) after it turned down the request for local government elections without consultation with the state.
Penang Chief Minister and DAP Secretary-General Lim Guan Eng said the state had requested to discuss the local polls request with the EC via a letter dated March 4 after its executive councillors on March 3 unanimously agreed to hold local elections for the Penang Municipal Council (MPPP) and Seberang Perai Municipal Council (MPSP).
He maintained that Article 113(4) of the Federal Constitution empowered the EC to conduct elections apart from those involving state and parliamentary elections, stressing that the Penang government also was relying on provisions in the Local Government Act 1976 and the Local Government Elections Act 1960 in restoring the local government elections.
"The Local Government Elections Act 1960 has not been repealed. If the EC is unsure whether it has the powers to hold local council elections, it could either discuss with the state government or allow the court to decide," Lim told a press conference at the parliament lobby on Wednesday.
The EC had in a 10-page reply to the Penang government on Tuesday turn down the request stating among others, that "all provisions in any law" relating to local government elections have been abolished and "ceased to have effect" on the application of Section 15 of the Local Government Act.
In its reply, the EC highlighted that Section 15(1) of the Local Government Act states: "Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any law and for so long as this Act is in operation, all provisions in any law relating to local government election shall cease to have force or effect".
According to Lim, the EC should honour the request to hold local government elections as it was a decision made by a legitimate state government and not merely by a state assemblyman or parliamentarian.
"I feel they (EC) have once again gone against the principles of a free, fair and non-aligned commission," he noted.
Lim, who is also the Bagan MP, also alleged that the EC could have been pressured not to hold local government elections as Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak opined that he was not in favour of it.
"Usually, if the 'taukeh' (big boss) has given his view, who dares to challenge him?" he pointed out.
Lim also said the state’s executive council would meet Thursday to study EC's reply and discuss its next course to restore the local government polls which has now become a state policy.
Asked if the state government would consider legal action, he replied: "I’m not ruling out anything at the moment" - Agencies.
Penang Chief Minister and DAP Secretary-General Lim Guan Eng said the state had requested to discuss the local polls request with the EC via a letter dated March 4 after its executive councillors on March 3 unanimously agreed to hold local elections for the Penang Municipal Council (MPPP) and Seberang Perai Municipal Council (MPSP).
He maintained that Article 113(4) of the Federal Constitution empowered the EC to conduct elections apart from those involving state and parliamentary elections, stressing that the Penang government also was relying on provisions in the Local Government Act 1976 and the Local Government Elections Act 1960 in restoring the local government elections.
"The Local Government Elections Act 1960 has not been repealed. If the EC is unsure whether it has the powers to hold local council elections, it could either discuss with the state government or allow the court to decide," Lim told a press conference at the parliament lobby on Wednesday.
The EC had in a 10-page reply to the Penang government on Tuesday turn down the request stating among others, that "all provisions in any law" relating to local government elections have been abolished and "ceased to have effect" on the application of Section 15 of the Local Government Act.
In its reply, the EC highlighted that Section 15(1) of the Local Government Act states: "Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any law and for so long as this Act is in operation, all provisions in any law relating to local government election shall cease to have force or effect".
According to Lim, the EC should honour the request to hold local government elections as it was a decision made by a legitimate state government and not merely by a state assemblyman or parliamentarian.
"I feel they (EC) have once again gone against the principles of a free, fair and non-aligned commission," he noted.
Lim, who is also the Bagan MP, also alleged that the EC could have been pressured not to hold local government elections as Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak opined that he was not in favour of it.
"Usually, if the 'taukeh' (big boss) has given his view, who dares to challenge him?" he pointed out.
Lim also said the state’s executive council would meet Thursday to study EC's reply and discuss its next course to restore the local government polls which has now become a state policy.
Asked if the state government would consider legal action, he replied: "I’m not ruling out anything at the moment" - Agencies.
