Malaysians to learn how to guard polls

MANILA, Philippines—Two representatives of a Malaysian poll watchdog group are in the country to learn from the Philippines how to observe the conduct of elections through the National Citizens’ Movement for Free Election (Namfrel).

Kanul Gindol and Jerry Ombou, both volunteers in the Sabah chapter of the

Malaysians for Free and Fair Elections (Mafrel), will be holding discussions and comparing notes with Namfrel as part of their preparation for the Malaysian general elections, expected to be held either before yearend or not later than April next year.

“[They] will learn from the Philippines’ experience in election observatory works of which Namfrel is known to have been doing since the early 1980s, soon after it was [established] in 1983,” said the Namfrel secretariat.

The two are here on their own initiative as “ensuring a fair and free election is the utmost priority of Mafrel too and that’s why the duo came up with this self-funded study trip,” said Namfrel.

In the course of their four-day visit, Ombou and Gindol, who chairs the Gindol Initiative for Civil Society Borneo, will hold meetings with nongovernment organizations, the Philippine Center for Civic Education and Democracy, and the Philippine Center for Islam and Democracy to learn and share experiences in promoting civil society.

“This study trip will come in handy as we look forward to working closely with the various stakeholders in a democratic Sabah, be they the ruling government, the opposition as well as the Malaysian Election Commission in ensuring a fair and free polls for citizens,” said Ombou in a statement. Jocelyn R. Uy