Bersih chairman Thomas Fann said the reports served as a permanent record of all elections held and a source of information for those conducting research or reporting.

He said the reports would provide a breakdown on the number of parties, candidates, election workers, as well as the results and expenses incurred in each election.

“The EC does not prepare its election reports in a timely manner. The GE14 report was only published four years after the elections, in September 2022.

“Release the reports. It’s better late than never,” he said.

Bersih’s observation report on the recent 15th general election (GE15) claimed that numerous election offences had taken place throughout the course of the campaigning, from misinformation to undue government influence.

“Our report of election offences is just the tip of the iceberg. It’s crucial that we are provided with the EC’s report for thorough information,” Fann said when launching Bersih’s report today.

Bersih recorded 58 incidents of “treating”, 13 incidents of the spread of inaccurate information, and 11 incidents of misuse of government assets. It also received 27 reports of cases “that may be classified as undue government influence”, and five claims of bribery.

The electoral watchdog gave the EC a list of suggested improvements it could make, from improving the election process for disabled persons and postal voters, to amending the “outdated” Election Offences Act 1954.

“There are about a million Malaysians overseas, but only a little more than 40,000 were registered as postal voters.

“As for the disabled, we owe it to them to make it more accessible to vote,” Fann said.