No ‘pondok panas’, no campaigning on polling day, Bersih reminds

(Bernama pic)

TANAH RATA: Electoral watchdog Bersih 2.0 today reminded candidates and political parties in the Cameron Highlands by-election not to set up “pondok panas” or party stands outside polling centres this Saturday.

It also urged them to refrain from conducting campaign activities on polling day, especially in the areas near polling stations and on social media.

In a statement, Bersih said Section 26 of the Election Offences Act 1954 forbade any campaigning activity on polling day.

“Section 26 (1)(c) forbids the opening or establishing or maintaining of an office or a booth within the constituency in which a candidate seeks election for any purpose connected with an election other than the offices opened or established or maintained pursuant to election campaign during campaign period.

“The penalty for this offence carries a jail term of not more than one year or a fine not more than RM5,000 or both,” it said.

It also noted that only the Election Commission (EC) was allowed to set up booths on polling day.

Section 26A stipulates that “the EC shall, on polling day, provide such number of booths situated at such places as it thinks necessary for the purpose of assisting electors to ascertain their electoral numbers in the electoral roll”.

Therefore, Bersih said, there was no need for political parties to erect any booth to assist voters on polling day.

“Bersih also warns against the practice of disguising party booths or canvassing activities with stalls set up near polling stations selling or dishing out free drinks or food.

“If these are found, the people involved would have committed election offences as well. Section 26 (1)(f) forbids canvassing for the votes of electors on polling day, on behalf of any candidate, in any constituency for or against any candidate or political party at an election by whatever means.”

Bersih also called on candidates, political parties and individuals to refrain from committing such offences on social media such as Facebook and Twitter.

It said despite such provisions, the phenomena of “pondok panas” and campaigning on polling day continued unabatedly in the past four by-elections – in Sungai Kandis, Seri Setia, Balakong and Port Dickson.

“This has to stop. We urge the EC and the law enforcement team to enforce these laws strictly to mark a new beginning of a new election culture in the country.”

Bersih also urged voters of Cameron Highlands to come out to vote on Saturday.

The Cameron Highlands parliamentary constituency, which has a total of 32,009 registered voters, sees a contest involving Ramli Mohd Nor of Barisan Nasional, M Manogaran of Pakatan Harapan and independent candidates Wong Seng Yee and Sallehudin Ab Talib.

The by-election is being held because on Nov 30 last year, the Election Court nullified BN’s victory there in the 14th general election after it found elements of corruption during the campaign period. - FMT