Not up to politicians to tell me to go, says Electoral Commissioner

Reacting to calls for resignation from opposition parties, Electoral Commissioner Irfan Abdool Rahman has hit back hard.

“It’s not politicians who should tell me that I must leave. I was not appointed by politicians, but by the Legal and Judicial Service Commission of the Supreme Court. The latter can put me to trial before a court of the Commonwealth – which will have the powers to tell me to go.”

In a statement to Radio Plus, Rahman said he does not personally feel responsible for the anomalies highlighted during the recount of 2019 general election ballot papers for constituency no. 19 (Stanley/Rose-Hill).

The anomalies, which critics have described as irregularities, include 73 missing ballots, two ballots without the electoral commission’s seal and the discovery of the ballot from constituency No.1 in the ballot papers of constituency No.19.

“I will take a decision in due time. We are waiting for the ruling for the electoral petitions (other constituencies). This is not the right time to say that I have to leave.” he said.