PETALING JAYA: The Coalition for Clean and Fair Election (Bersih) has announced that it will be holding an election soon to fill the chairperson vacancy following the unexpected resignation of its newly reelected chairman, Thomas Fann.
The electoral watchdog’s Steering Committee (SC) said the decision was made during its new SC’s first meeting on Monday (Nov 20).
“An ad-hoc Election Committee (EC) will be formed to conduct the election. Notice of the nomination, campaign and polling periods will be announced by the EC to all our endorsing NGOs in due course,” said Bersih’s SC in a press release on Tuesday (Nov 21).
It added that its now-outgoing chairman Fann - who chaired the meeting - had assured that he would remain in his current position until after the by-election to ensure a smooth transition of responsibilities to the new SC and elected chairperson.
“The new SC expresses its sincere gratitude to all members of the previous SC and Fann for the efforts they put in to steer Bersih through the tumultuous political period since GE14 until now.
“This passing of the baton to the new team heralds a new chapter for Bersih,” it said.
On Nov 19, Fan announced that he had tendered his resignation as Bersih chairman despite winning the position uncontested after the election for a new SC for the 2023 to 2025 term concluded on Nov 10.
He cited a difference in vision for Bersih’s future between himself and his new deputy, Wong Yan Ke, as well as his endorsement of NGOs associated with Bersih, as the reason for his resignation.
