Rashid: 'Not really proper' for DPM to campaign in PD

PD POLLS | Electoral Reform Committee (ERC) chief Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman (above) today said he saw minor offences, such as abuse of government facilities and handout of gifts, being committed during the Port Dickson by-election campaign.

At a press conference held in Port Dickson, he said these incidents would be taken into account when the ERC drafts amendments to improve electoral laws.

"This will be included in our proposal so that the Election Commission will be given more power to act against these offences," he said.

Asked about Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu's visit to the Port Dickson Army Museum Abdul Rashid said: "He should be doing that after (the Port Dickson by-election) or before."

Mohamad had campaigned openly for Pakatan Harapan candidate Anwar Ibrahim and had reportedly told army personnel that their welfare would be taken care of if they voted for the PKR president-elect.

Abdul Rashid also found fault with Deputy Prime Minister Wan Azizah Wan Ismail who campaigned for Anwar.

"To me, that's not very correct. My personal opinion is there is no law to stop her, but it is not really proper for the deputy prime minister to come. I hope she is not announcing projects," he said.

He also said it was wrong for supporters of any candidate to give out free meals.

"Treating is against the rule, this is an offence. (These people) should not hold free dinner on behalf of the candidate," he said, adding that this act can be challenged in court if other candidates want to file an election petition.

Anwar's supporters had organised a free picnic concert and a dinner, which the Harapan candidate insisted he could attend. PAS reportedly offered lucky draws on at least two occasions during the campaign.

"But (overall) this is not rampant. (Probably) one or two cases where the candidate concerned was not aware (as) he is carried away by old experience," he said, adding that he expects such offences to not reoccur when parties understand the situation better.

"He has been told. I think he is doing away with it," said Abdul Rashid, who is also a former EC chief.

Beside this, he said the ERC will look into the process of holding the early voting ballot boxes to make it more transparent.

He also proposed online nominations to prevent potential chaos caused by supporters.

The ERC has been given two years to prepare a report to improve the electoral system and propose amendments to existing election laws.

The proposal will be tabled in Parliament. -Mkini