EC no. 2 said "powerless"

Election Commission no. 2 in public over “powerless” claimWan Ahmad

“we don’t make decisions” and “we are powerless”

Summed up the explanation by EC deputy chairman Wan Ahmad Wan Omar on July 26 2011 in a packed public dialogue organised by Malay daily Sinar Harian at Shah Alam headquarter.

In “what next after July 9” forum, Wan Ahmad was trying to explain why EC can’t fulfil Bersih’s 8 demands for electoral reforms.

Wan Ahmad said that EC is an “election management” body. “The government in power, anyone who rules the country, will have the advantage to determine the policy of the government.”

“You don’t understand that the EC operates under many other laws like the Police Act, the Sedition Act. Don’t push the blame on us...”

Ambiga said that Article 115 (2) spelt out that public authorities must comply to the EC power given under the Federal Constitution.Ambiga