PUTRAJAYA: Candidates representing different political parties are not allowed to use the same logo when contesting in the same constituency.
Election Commission (EC) deputy chairman Professor Dr Azmi Sharom said only candidates who have received an official letter of authorisation from the party or coalition concerned may use its logo.
"Only candidates who have been issued a letter of authorisation by a party or coalition are allowed to use its logo.
"Only one authorisation is valid. We can determine who has the authority to issue the letter," he told Berita Harian.
He was commenting on the dispute involving Pas and Bersatu, with both parties potentially contesting in the same constituency while seeking to use the Perikatan Nasional (PN) logo.
Former EC deputy chairman Datuk Seri Wan Ahmad Wan Omar said the matter is governed by Regulation 11(2)(d) of the Election (Conduct of Elections) Regulations.
"They cannot use the same logo. This is clearly stipulated under Regulation 11(2)(d) of the Election (Conduct of Elections) Regulations," he said.
Wan Ahmad said if two candidates from different parties submit nomination papers bearing the same logo, the returning officer will only accept the nomination supported by a valid letter of authorisation signed by the top leadership of the party or coalition concerned.
"If both candidates submit the same logo while representing different parties, the returning officer will only accept the authorisation letter signed by the party's top leader.
"If it involves a coalition, the letter must be signed by the coalition's top leader. For example, in Barisan Nasional, the authorisation letter is signed by Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, while for PN, it is signed by its chairman, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar," he said.
He added that the returning officer has the authority to reject the nomination papers of candidates who fail to provide valid authorisation for the use of the logo.
"The returning officer has the right to reject the nomination papers. That falls within the returning officer's powers," he said.
Wan Ahmad said candidates whose nomination papers are rejected would also not have sufficient time on nomination day to obtain a new letter of authorisation.
However, they would still be eligible to contest as Independent candidates.
"They may still contest. If they wish to remain in the race, they can stand as Independent candidates because they can no longer use the logo submitted earlier," he said.
In such cases, he said, the returning officer would provide a selection of Independent candidates' symbols to be printed on the ballot paper.
Regulation 11(2)(d) of the Election (Conduct of Elections) Regulations sets out the requirement for candidates to use a political party's logo or symbol lawfully. - NST
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