EC Awaiting Response On Election Observers From Abroad

KUALA LUMPUR, July 11 (Bernama) -- The Election Commission (EC) is awaiting the response of several countries which have been invited to send international observers for the 13th general election due by April next year, the Senate was told on Wednesday. Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Liew Vui Keong said the invitations had been sent to several countries, among them Indonesia and Thailand. "The EC is also having discussions with several non-governmental organisations to send joint observer teams for the general election. "They can have observers in the 222 parliamentary constituencies nationwide if the initiative (to have observers) becomes a reality," he said when replying to a question from Senator Muhamad Yusof Husin. Liew said the observers would submit a report to the EC after the general election. Meanwhile, replying to a supplementary question, also from Muhamad Yusof, Liew said many officers had been appointed by the EC to be on duty during the general election and that they would attend training and courses on the election rules and regulations. -- BERNAMA