TI-M urge candidates to sign Election Integrity Pledge

PETALING JAYA: Transparency International-Malaysia (TI-M) has called on all candidates in the forthcoming by-elections in Sungai Besar and Kuala Kangsar to sign the Election Integrity Pledge to declare their commitment to a clean election.
TI-M president Datuk Akhbar Satar (pix) said the pledge was a voluntary social contract for the candidates to pledge their commitment against receiving or giving bribes and money politics during and after the electoral campaign.
He hoped by signing the pledge the candidates can show to the voters that they are serious and fully committed not to be involved in any illegal practices to secure votes.
He reminded the candidates that they were simply the custodians of political power, and the power ultimately rests with the rakyat.
"The rakyat elect leaders to act on their behalf. The power returns to the rakyat – and they in turn empower the elected. When the rakyat go to the polls and cast their votes, they aspire not only to elect their leaders, but also to choose a direction for the nation," Akhbar said.
He said Malaysia as a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council has recognised and subscribed to the spirit, substance and norms the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) when we became a member of the United Nations in 1957.
The TM-I president said by ensuring that elections are held with integrity, the promise of this Declaration will be fulfilled.
He pointed out that the people hope that the country will be governed by trusted leaders.
Akhbar said the challenges of electoral integrity cannot be resolved by politicians alone, adding that civil society and the media must be given the space to play their part in demanding accountability and transparency.