Charge Rantau returning officer, says Bersih 2.0

PETALING JAYA: The Coalition of Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih 2.0) wants the returning officer in charge of the Rantau state seat to be charged with breach of duty.

It said that Amino Agus Suyub should be further charged under Section 4(g) of the Election Offences Act for breaching his official duties.

Under the Act, those found guilty can be jailed up to two years and/or fined up to RM5,000.

"Prevention of Dr S. Streram's nomination during the 14th General Election was clearly an abuse of his constitutional right to be an election candidate and the voter's right to choose a candidate.

."This is especially significant given that the entry pass to the nomination centre is not a requirement under election regulations," Bersih 2.0 said in a statement that welcomed the Election Court's decision to void the Rantau state seat election result on Friday (Nov 16).

The Special Election Court ruled that the unopposed election of Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan as the assemblyman in the 14th General Election in May is null and void.

The coalition said that no election rule stated that an electoral candidate, proposer and seconder should have a tag or pass to submit the nomination form.

Dr. Streram, who was denied entry to submit his nomination form because he did not have the tag or pass, had named Mohamad, the former mentri besar of Negri Sembilan, as the first respondent, Rembau parliamentary constituency returning officer Amino Agus Suyub as the second respondent and the Election Commission as the third respondent.

"We hope the judgement sends a clear and strong signal to the Election Commission and election officers not to abuse their positions in the future.

"These unlawful attempts to deny the right of candidates and voters in elections should not be tolerated," said Bersih 2.0.- Star