KUALA LUMPUR, March 9 — Election watchdog Bersih 2.0 questioned today the inclusion of police officers at a recent inquiry held by the Election Commission (EC) on its proposed electoral boundary for Miri when the Sarawak district’s voters were barred.

The non-governmental organisation pointed out that voters, lawyers, the media and others whom they said had a stake in the process were barred from the inquiry while Special Branch police officers, dressed in plainclothes, were allowed to sit in.

“What legitimate stake does the police officers have in the process?” its steering committee asked in a statement.

The group explained that lawyers can help clarify any legal points that may be raised in the inquiry, the media can make the process transparent and educational for the public, and the public should be alerted on how a solution to other constituencies might affect theirs.

In the statement, the committee claimed Piasau assemblyman Alan Ling had recognised four plainclothes police officers sitting behind the EC officials when he was presenting his objections last Thursday.

“The EC chairperson himself was taken aback when told of their identities, but decided that they could stay anyway,” the committee claimed.

It reiterated its call to make the inquiries truly public and to allow all legitimate stakeholders to be present.