Bersih 2.0: A demand for electoral reform

Bersih 2.0: A demand for electoral reform

 The Coalition for Free and Fair Elections or “Bersih” launched the public meeting, “Bersih 2.0 Unite and Advance Electoral Reform” on last Wednesday at the Petaling Jaya Civic Centre in Petaling Jaya, Selangor.

This launch is to mark the 3rd year anniversary of a rally demanding electoral reforms on November 10, 2007. Hundreds members of public, including leaders from political parties and civil societies, attended this ceremony.

Dr Ronald McCoy – former President of the Malaysian Medical Association and Ambiga Sreenevasan – former Bar Council president and chairman of Bersih 2.0 also gave speeches. During her speech, Ambiga listed down Bersih 2.0’s 11 demands for electoral reforms.

1. Complete revision of the electoral roll. 2. Use of indelible ink in elections.
3. Reform of postal voting. 4. Free and fair media access for all contesting parties. 5. Minimum campaign period of 21 days.

6. Fair and professional constituency redelineation. 7. Automatic registration of all eligible voters. 8. Reduction of the voting age from 21 to 18 years old. 9. Reform in electoral financing rules to ensure transparency. 10. Administrative neutrality of all levels of governments. 11. Affirming the political right of all students of 18 years and above.

This is the first time that the “Bersih 2.0” is demanding better scrutiny of elections financing and a reduction in the voting age.

Video by Pong Pan

For more detail: http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/147889

Premesh Chandran