Electoral reform group Bersih is irked by the Sarawak government's attempt to legitimise the Election Commission's (EC) public inquiries in relation to the state's redelineation exercise.
This is despite the Kuching High Court on May 15 ruling that the notice for redelineation was not in compliance with the requirements of the federal constitution and ordered for the notice to be republished with more detailed information.
The same court yesterday added an additional order, ruling that the initial notice is null and void and has no legal effect.
"EC ignoring the court's decision and continuing with second inquiry in Sarawak proves that the EC is in contempt of court.
"All redelineation exercise in Sarawak must cease immediately and redone in a transparent and fair manner," it said in a statement today.
Court made no mention about inquiries
Bersih was responding to Sarawak legal advisor JC Fong who said the court made no mention about the inquiries conducted by the EC.
"The court did not rule that the process of receiving representation and holding inquiries on those representation or objection was null and void," he was quoted as saying by the Borneo Post .
Fong ( photo ) said this in response to questions on whether the nullification of the redelineation notice would mean that all subsequent procedures executed for the exercise is likewise null and void.
Bersih urged EC to abide by the Kuching High Court's decision and to redo the redelineation exercise according to constitutional requirements.
It also urged the EC not to appeal the decision which will come at the expense of taxpayers.
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