EC not privy to status of election offences probes, says its chief

The authorities do not keep the EC in the loop as to their progress in probes into election offences, said EC chairperson Azhar Harun.

Speaking to reporters at the EC headquarters today, he said, as such, the commission did not have information on the status of reports lodged over alleged offences committed during the recent by-elections in Cameron Highlands and Semenyih.

"No, the investigative authorities do not give any kind of feedback (to the EC). So only those who lodged the complaint would have the right to ask the investigating officer what is happening regarding their report.

"We are only the third party," he said when met after the EC announced the nomination and polling dates for Negeri Sembilan's Rantau by-election.

Azhar was answering reporters' question on election offences and the status of reports lodged on them.

He said since only the complainants were entitled to ask the respective enforcement agencies for updates, they were the ones who should ask for the updates.

"I do not have any knowledge actually. I have to sit down with them and ask what kind of investigations, what kind of speed or time they are taking [...] I really do not have any knowledge of that," said Azhar.

He was asked whether he thought authorities were speedy in taking action on election offences.

Elaborating further, he said due to the country's criminal justice system, no third party had the right to ask the authorities for updates on probes that were not related to them.

On Rantau, for which polling date has been set for April 13, Azhar said he hoped there would be fewer transgressions related to election offences.

He said during the Semenyih by-election campaign which concluded last Saturday, there was a total of 39 reports lodged by various parties.

"In Rantau I hope that there will be less transgressions regarding election offences.

"I am quite sure that political parties and candidates, as well as the people, are more aware (about election offences)."

The Semenyih by-election in Selangor was marred by several incidents, including the display of provocative banners and an alleged assault on Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman.

Cases of aggression and abuse of government assets were also reported during the Cameron Highlands by-election in January. - Mkini