Day 11: Ramli drops by Brinchang polling station for few minutes

CAMERON POLLS DAY 11 | It is now Day 11 of the Cameron Highlands by-election campaigning period.

Today is early voting and some of the candidates are scheduled to visit the polling stations in the morning before continuing with their campaigning programmes the rest of the day.

Malaysiakini brings you live reports of the campaigning on the ground.

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KEY HIGHLIGHTS

• Election offences - EC has done all it can to act within its powers, says Azhar
• 20pct voters turnout at 9am 
• Indie candidate loses sleep due to excitement over early voting

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Ramli drops by Brinchang polling station for few minutes

9.45am: Brinchang police station - BN candidate Ramli Mohd Nor arrives here but does not enter the police station grounds, where early voting is taking place.

Dressed in a black jacket zipped up to the top, the retired top cop stands at the gates and waves at police officers queuing up along the corridors on the upper floors of the building.

After a couple of minutes, Ramli walks back to his car, where he waves at the media before he is driven off. 

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Election offences - EC has done all it can, within its powers, says Azhar

9am: Brinchang police station - The Election Commission (EC) chairperson Azhar Harun urges those dissatisfied with the commission’s jurisdiction to pressure lawmakers to change the law.

He says the current laws only enable the police and the MACC to investigate any potential election offences, and that it is out of the EC’s jurisdiction to take action in such matters.

“If the rakyat or any party want the laws to be changed, then they need to ask their MPs to bring a motion to pass this law in Parliament.

“If I were to do something outside of my jurisdiction, then my action would be illegal. I could be arrested by the police,” he says to reporters.

With regards to purported election offences during this by-election, Azhar said he has done everything under his powers.

“We have done everything such as giving information to the MACC and the police, I have also given advice and issued warnings.

“The candidates have also signed election pledges. That’s all that we can do,” he said.

At the same time, he said he has seen improvements in election practices as parties are starting to check each other on potential election offences. 

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Early voters turnout at 20 pct

9am: Cameron Highlands - The turnout of early voters is at 20 percent as at 9am, the Election Commission (EC) says.

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Indie candidate loses sleep due to excitement over early voting

8.15am: Brinchang police station - Independent candidate Wong Seng Yee arrives at the polling station here.

After a quick visit, he tells the media that he was so excited about today’s early voting that he could not sleep last night.

He also says he has been preparing “100 percent” for the candidates’ debate tomorrow night.

“I am not a politician, I am just a farmer ... but I will try my best to answer the political questions,” he says to reporters outside the polling station. -Mkini