Chapter 1 – Report of the Policy, Law and Complaints Group The Commission commends the implementation of the EG-Tukar system by the MOE to ensure that there is no discrimination in the transfer of teachers. The Commission recommends that the term “service requirement”, as generally used in letters of transfer as the reason for transfer, is given clear definition to avoid misuse of the term. The Commission acknowledges the importance of the Public Officers (Conduct and Discipline) Regulations 1993 to ensure smoothness in the delivery of Government services. However, the Commission notes that certain provisions in the Regulations may impede the enjoyment of certain human rights including the right to freedom of expression and opinion. As such, a study on these Regulations is necessary. In the meantime, the Commission urges the Government to ensure that the Regulations are not applied selectively on the basis of the political preferences of civil servants. On 21 December, the Commission requested some information on the number of disciplinary actions meted out on teachers for violating Regulation 21(1) of the Regulations, and the number of applications made by teachers to be active in politics, for the purpose of the study. At the time of writing, the Commission has yet to receive a reply. (c) Student Activism and Campus Elections The Commission believes that universities are the best place to expose all students to the human rights principles in a practical way through student activities and campus elections. Following 12 complaints received from student movements from 2012 to 2014 regarding alleged vote rigging in campus elections and restrictions on student activism under the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971 (UUCA), the Commission organised a RTD on these matters on 25 February. The Commission invited representatives from the administration bodies of five public universities; Student Representative Councils (SRC); and student-based associations, with the aim of finding solutions to these issues. However, on the day, only two representatives from the universities were present while the remaining participants comprised representatives from SRCs and student associations. As a result of the RTD, the relevant authorities were urged to: (i) Introduce a dual-voting system where students can cast their votes digitally and then print out a hard copy of their e-voting slip, which they can post in ballot boxes as backup.42 (ii) Establish an independent body comprising the MOE, SRCs, and independent institutions to organise campus elections and to standardise campus electoral processes. (iii) Include the SRC in universities’ senate meetings to represent the voices of the students in decision-making on issues involving students’ affairs. 42 “Could e-voting be on its way in the UK?”, BBC, viewed at, http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-30234304, on 1 November. Lord Malloch-Brown, a former UK government minister (2007—2009) and United Nations Deputy Secretary-General (2006), favoured the implementation of a dual system for the UK general election. 87 BOOK-ANR2016-01-latest.indb 87 08/04/2016 3:32 PM