The other four are Md Yusop Mansur, Abdul Aziz Khalidin, Sulaiman Narawi and Leo Chong Cheong.

Azhar said the Yang di-Pertuan Agong was informed of the decision, which was made three days ago

He said the terms of the five commissioners were shortened in accordance with Article 114 of the Federal Constitution.

Another commissioner, K Bala Singam, will remain in office.

Like judges, EC commissioners enjoy security of tenure as they are appointed by the Agong after consultation with the Conference of Rulers.

It was reported by Malaysiakini yesterday that Putrajaya had initiated a tribunal to investigate six EC members appointed by the previous administration for alleged misconduct.

Last month, electoral watchdog Bersih 2.0 urged the government to sack the EC commissioners and called for a tribunal to pave the way for the appointment of reform-minded commissioners.

“This is important as some reform measures such as cleaning up the existing electoral rolls, the management of elections and campaigning rules do not need further study,” Bersih chairman Shahrul Aman Mohd Saari had told FMT.