The initiative, first created for the 2013 general election, is a joint effort of Bersih 2.0 and Malaysian rights groups Suaram and Pusat Komas.

Bersih 2.0 chairperson Maria Chin Abdullah urged the 3,000 Malaysians who volunteered for the last Pemantau campaign and other Malaysians to offer their services again to fight for a clean election.

She said the 3,000 volunteers and 100 coordinators were needed to cover 29 zones in the country.

Those interested to volunteer can register at www.pemantau.org/daftar.

“We really want the 3,000 ordinary Malaysians to come back and help us with Pemantau and many more other people because GE14 is a crucial election.

“We have been fighting them (Election Commission) on the re-delineation, electoral roll and voter registration issues.

“We feel this is the election that extensive cheating is likely to happen,” Maria told reporters after the Pemantau launch at the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH).

She said every Malaysian should take responsibility not just to exercise their right to vote but also to ensure a free and fair election.

Maria said that after five years since the last election, the election process in Malaysia was still plagued by lies and wrongdoings.

She said this was because the EC and government refused to make positive changes and instead worsened the situation.

Suaram chief Sevan Doraisamy said the NGO’s focus would be to monitor reports on human rights breaches as well as political violence.

He said that intimidation and violence usually occurred during the campaign period, and it recorded the highest number of political violence cases during GE13.

“There should be no violence against any candidate as it is their right to campaign,” he said.

Pusat Komas, meanwhile, would monitor reports of racial issues and racism.