This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily on June 14, 2018

KUALA LUMPUR: The Election Commission (EC) has announced that Tan Sri Mohd Hashim Abdullah’s tenure as EC chairman had been shortened and that he will go on leave from July 1.

The shortening of Hashim’s period of service was approved by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Muhammad V, the EC said in a statement yesterday.

The commission was informed of the decision in a letter dated June 7, 2018 from Datuk Pengelola Bijaya Diraja, Istana Negara.

“The shortening of the service period has also been notified to the prime minister through an official letter dated June 11, 2018.” it said.

Hashim joined the EC as deputy chairman on Sept 5, 2014. He was appointed chairman on Jan 24, 2016, the EC said.

“The EC would like to take this opportunity to thank and record our appreciation to Tan Sri Mohd Hashim Abdullah for his service throughout his stint with the EC,” it added.

Hashim has been criticised for his handling of various matters concerning the 14th general election. Political leaders and election watchdog groups had singled out alleged irregularities including unfair redelineation of constituency boundaries, arbitrary decisions on campaigning rules, hindering out-of-town and overseas voters by setting voting day on a weekday, as well as withholding election results.