EC drawing up code of ethics for caretaker gov't

The Election Commission (EC) is drawing up a code of ethics for the caretaker government which will administer the country from the time of dissolution of parliament for the general election until the formation of the new government.

EC deputy chairperson Wan Ahmad Wan Omar said the code, one of the 22 recommendations of the parliamentary select committee on electoral reform, would be referred to the attorney-general and discussed with the government, led by the Barisan Nasional (BN).

“The code will be comprehensive, and will be drawn up with reference made to similar rules in Australia and the United Kingdom and discussions held with legal experts,” he told reporters after officially opening a briefing on the preparations for the 13th general election for an election campaign enforcement team in Ipoh.

The EC had set up a committee on the matter, he said, adding that the code would explain the role of the caretaker government.

Wan Ahmad (left) said the prime minister and the other ministers would remain so in a caretaker government, but there were certain things which they could not do.

“I cannot explain the code one by one because we are still at the discussion stage,” he said.

Wan Ahmad also said that the EC would not hesitate to seize banners, compact discs and video recordings which carried statements contrary to religious edicts during the campaign for the 13th general election.

“Certain religious issues have emerged again, and we fear that some of these could be raised during the campaign period. An example is a banner proclaiming that by voting for a particular party, one can go to heaven. This is not right, and we will remove such a banner,” he said.

He said action would be taken after referring the matter to the National Fatwa (Edicts) Council.

He also said that the EC would monitor the situation with the help of the police and the local authorities.

Banners which carried personal attacks on electoral candidates, made reference to court decisions, questioned the royalty and cited racial sensitivities would also be removed, he said.

Wan Ahmad said the EC had set up 48 teams in Perak and that two teams would be deployed in each of the 24 parliamentary constituencies.

“We may add another team in parliamentary constituencies which have three state constituencies, but this will be decided after discussion with the Perak EC director,” he said.

- Bernama