“If you want to argue about politics, keep it within the confines of politics.

“Just don’t associate the commission with politics. The EC just organises elections,” he said at a press conference after the officiating ceremony of “Menara SPR.”

The recently appointed EC chairman was responding to reporters earlier regarding the Citizens’ Declaration, as it listed several demands for institutional reforms, including clean and fair elections.

“What is it that’s not fair?” he questioned.

“If we are bias to certain parties, then why did some states still end up in the hands of certain Opposition parties?

“And these are wealthy states. This means we are transparent. Don’t blame us,” he said.

On another matter, Hashim said the EC was prepared for the upcoming Sarawak election, but did not reveal the date of the state assembly’s dissolution.

“I don’t know when the state assembly will be dissolved as it is up to the chief minister of the state.

“But, we are almost 90 per cent ready for the state election,” he said.