EC should be given power to audit political parties' accounts

The Election Commission (EC) should be given the power to conduct audit of accounts belonging to political parties, as well as expenses of contesting candidates during elections, EC chairman Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof said.

He said, at present, the EC was only entrusted to receive reports on candidates' expenses after the election was concluded.

"Right now, the EC has no power to audit, we only receive report on expenses (of candidates) throughout the official campaigning period.

"The report usually comes in the form of receipts and bills which showed the details of the candidates' expenses based on the given amount of RM200,000 for parliamentary seat candidate and RM100,000 for state seat candidate," he told reporters after attending the EC's 58th anniversary celebration here today.

Abdul Aziz, however, said although the EC did not have the power to conduct the audit, there were other relevant authorities that could do so, including the National Audit Department.

He said the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) was also responsible to carry out a probe should there exist elements of corruption in the elections.

When asked on the formation of the National Consultative Committee On Political Funding, Abdul Aziz said the EC was prepared to be part of the committee if invited.

"If we are invited, we will attend, but it is not a necessity for us to be part of the committee, they can always contact us should the need arise," he said.

The EC chairman said the formation of the committee was also a good move as it could prevent any political parties from being deluged with baseless accusations.

The formation of the committee was announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak on Aug 14, to draw up a comprehensive and inclusive action plan of integrity for political funding which to be implemented before the 14th general election.