H-Net* Malaysian opposition alliance urges safeguards against vote fraud

[Concorde]

Malaysian opposition alliance urges safeguards against vote fraud KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 13 (AFP) - Malaysia's opposition alliance, predicting "dirty tactics" in upcoming general elections, called Wednesday for safeguards against vote fraud. The four-party Alternative Front urged the Elections Commission in a statement to act "as a truly independent and authoritative body" to ensure a fair election. Polls must be held by next June but are widely expected as early as next month. The opposition alliance said 650,000 new voters who registered in April should be qualified to vote this year rather than next. The opposition has predicted that Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad will seek a snap poll this year rather than wait till the young voters, presumed to be more radical, come on the electoral rolls. The alliance also urged the elections commission to supervise postal voting by police and military personnel, saying some senior officers had reportedly cast votes for subordinates in the past. It also called for fingers of electors to be marked with indelible ink to prevent double voting, saying identity cards of dead people had been used in past polls, especially by government supporters, to vote twice. The Alternative Front comprises the National Justice Party led by the wife of jailed ex-deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim, the Islamic opposition party Parti Islam seMalaysia, the Democratic Action Party and the Malaysian People's Party. Mahathir, in rare accord with the opposition, has also said he fears the next election will be the dirtiest ever but has pointed the finger at his opponents. The National Front which he heads is certain of victory but the opposition hopes to take away its two-thirds parliamentary majority, which allows it to change the constitution.