Case to remove former EC members purely academic, argues counsel

The tribunal to seek the removal of former Election Commission (EC) members has raised a question as to whether the proceeding serves any purpose since the matter has now been rendered academic, the tribunal was told today.
This is due to the resignation of the six members from the EC prior to the proceeding to remove them as EC commissioners, which took effect on Jan 1.
The six former EC members are Othman Mahmood, Mohd Yusop Mansor, Abdul Aziz Khalidin, Sulaiman Narawi, K Bala Singam and Leo Chong Cheong.
The tribunal was set up to investigate allegations of misconduct committed by the EC in the run-up to and on the day of the 14th general election.
Attorney-general Tommy Thomas said in a statement on Jan 24 that the tribunal comprises five members who are retired judges of the Federal Court.
On Oct 17 last year, it was reported that the government had begun the process of setting up the tribunal - which was then followed by the resignations of the six EC members, with the last resignation tendered on Nov 27.