Enactment bill to allow local government elections, but what if...?
The Penang state government seems to have taken a brave effort to restore the local government elections in the state by enacting a state law to allow the third vote to take place. If the enactment comes through, we will see both Penang Municipal Council (MPPP) and Seberang Perai Municipal Council (MPSP) holding their elections soon to elect their municipal councillors.
The enactment bill called the Local Government Elections (Penang & Province Wellesley) Enactment Bill 2012 is expected to be tabled soon next week at the ongoing state legislative assembly sitting. With the bill, Penang will become the first state in this country, historically to have a law of its own to restore the local government elections.
However, it is not clear that if the other Pakatan states like Selangor, Kedah and Kelantan would follow Penang's effort in doing so. Previously, it was only Penang and Selangor who had made known to public of its efforts to restore the third vote for the people. With Penang's effort already underway, the people are now looking at Selangor who had earlier pledge to do so but have yet to show any signs toward it.
We would like to seek more information or the readiness of both Penang and Selangor state governments on certain issues and challenges which they may face with in event of enactments has been passed and the local government elections were to be held.
What if the Election Commission (EC) refuses to recognize the enactments which allows local government elections? What if the EC and BN federal government use the federal level Local Government Act to declare the Local Government Elections Enactment 2012 at the state level invalid and cannot be enforced?
Has the legal teams of both state government view all such implications, effects and facts leading to such situation? Are there any contingency plans being being worked out to counter such challenges?
As Pakatan in both states of Penang and Selangor had promised the people that they would eventually restore the third vote after they come to power in last 2008, we too have our rights to know what are the plans and alternative solutions to ensure the local government elections will take place at all cost if the EC and the BN federal government were to rule against it.
And if the EC and the BN federal government were to rule against such enactments, who will then supervise the local government elections other than the EC? Will the state-appointed NGOs or any other organization be tasked of supervising the local government elections? What about transparency, independent observers or any other neutral mechanism which are essential to ensure the local government elections are being carried out professionally, justly and diligently?
As such, we hope both Pakatan state governments, particularly the Penang state would reveal more on the enactment, the other information contributing to such efforts, contingency plans and the other measures as well to ensure the third vote would take place eminently without any failure nor blockade from any parties who are against such efforts.
The enactment bill called the Local Government Elections (Penang & Province Wellesley) Enactment Bill 2012 is expected to be tabled soon next week at the ongoing state legislative assembly sitting. With the bill, Penang will become the first state in this country, historically to have a law of its own to restore the local government elections.
However, it is not clear that if the other Pakatan states like Selangor, Kedah and Kelantan would follow Penang's effort in doing so. Previously, it was only Penang and Selangor who had made known to public of its efforts to restore the third vote for the people. With Penang's effort already underway, the people are now looking at Selangor who had earlier pledge to do so but have yet to show any signs toward it.
We would like to seek more information or the readiness of both Penang and Selangor state governments on certain issues and challenges which they may face with in event of enactments has been passed and the local government elections were to be held.
What if the Election Commission (EC) refuses to recognize the enactments which allows local government elections? What if the EC and BN federal government use the federal level Local Government Act to declare the Local Government Elections Enactment 2012 at the state level invalid and cannot be enforced?
Has the legal teams of both state government view all such implications, effects and facts leading to such situation? Are there any contingency plans being being worked out to counter such challenges?
As Pakatan in both states of Penang and Selangor had promised the people that they would eventually restore the third vote after they come to power in last 2008, we too have our rights to know what are the plans and alternative solutions to ensure the local government elections will take place at all cost if the EC and the BN federal government were to rule against it.
And if the EC and the BN federal government were to rule against such enactments, who will then supervise the local government elections other than the EC? Will the state-appointed NGOs or any other organization be tasked of supervising the local government elections? What about transparency, independent observers or any other neutral mechanism which are essential to ensure the local government elections are being carried out professionally, justly and diligently?
As such, we hope both Pakatan state governments, particularly the Penang state would reveal more on the enactment, the other information contributing to such efforts, contingency plans and the other measures as well to ensure the third vote would take place eminently without any failure nor blockade from any parties who are against such efforts.
