'EC can't dismiss ballot-paper buying claim'

The Election Commission (EC) cannot simply say that it has nothing to do with the police report lodged by its officers, alleging the buying of ballot papers by a BN candidate, said PKR's Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli.

He told reporters this is because the EC is constitutionally duty-bound to safeguard its reputation and the credibility of the electoral process.

"(EC deputy chairperson) Wan Ahmad (Wan Omar) likes to scold us and then, when a police report is lodged, he goes into quiet mode,” Rafizi(centre in photo) told a press conference today.

"This is his responsibility. If a report was made by the EC's own officers, then it is his constitutional duty to clear the air, explain and to nullify the election (results) if it is true.”

He also rubbished a claim by the BN’s Hulu Besut representative Nawi Mohamad that he is not involved.

"(Nawi) only said 'there is no such thing', as easy as that, which is the standard Umno answer.

"They are saying a police report is not evidence enough and that anyone can lodge one, not realising that there are penalties for false reports.”

Rafizi said the fact that the EC officer was willing to put herself forward to be investigated and to give evidence lends credence to her claim.

Nawi had told KiniTV he did not buy any postal ballot paper, while Wan Ahmad told Sinar Harian that the claim has nothing to do with the EC.

[More to follow]