The government is satisfied with the ability shown by the Election Commission (EC) in implementing policies and taking actions on matters relating to elections, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim.

He said the system currently practiced provides extensive opportunities and plenty of space for all parties to ensure that elections are carried out in a transparent manner.

"As an independent Commission, the EC’s action is guided by the principle of the Federal Constitution and the democratic principles of our country.

"The government is basically satisfied with the EC's ability to ensure that the system to choose a government through a democratic electoral process continues to be maintained,” he said in a written reply in Parliament on Thursday.

He was responding to a question from Sim Tze Tzin (PKR-Bayan Baru) asking the Prime Minister to state the position of the EC following a low ranking it received in the Electoral Integrity Report by Harvard University, which put Malaysia on 114th position out of the 127 countries studied.

Nevertheless, Shahidan said he often heard various allegations and accusations thrown by certain parties against the EC in attempt to damage the Commission's integrity.

"At the same time, some quarters take the opportunity to use the legal provisions available to achieve a specific goal," he said.

However, he said agencies abroad are free to make judgments and give their perception of the EC.

"However, the fact that the EC is an institution under the authority of Yang Di-Pertuan Agong, who is responsible for maintaining and overseeing the democratic process in the country by implementing its jurisdiction that have been established in accordance with Article 113 (i) of the Federal Constitution," added Shahidan.