The Election Commission (EC) announced on Wednesday (June 13) that the tenure of EC chairman Tan Sri Hashim Abdullah has been shortened to July 1.
According to the EC, the shortening of Hashim’s tenure has been approved by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and is informed through an official letter by the Controller of the Royal Household, dated June 7.
The statement also said that the matter has been informed to Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad through an official letter dated June 11.
The statement gave no reason for cutting his tenure short.
Hashim, 64, joined the EC on Sept 5, 2014, as deputy chairman, and was subsequently appointed as Chairman on Jan 24, 2016.
Hashim’s tenure was initially supposed to end in August, 2020, upon his attaining the age of 66, in accordance with Clause 3 Article 114 of the Federal Constitution.
During GE14, the EC came under heavy fire from Pakatan Harapan and its supporters who accused the EC of acting in favour of the then Barisan Nasional government.
The criticism was aimed at the redelineation exercise, holding the election on a Wednesday and the delay in revealing the results on the night of May 9.
Hashim had denied allegations by electoral reform group Bersih 2.0 that it had manipulated GE14 to allow certain parties to win.
He said the EC had carried out its duties with transparency and fairness.
“The EC never interfered in any matters, including the counting and tallying of ballot papers.”
He added that the results, which were in Pakatan Harapan’s favour, and the smooth transition of power, were proof that GE14 had been conducted in a fair and transparent manner.