Semenyih polls recorded highest electoral offences, Harapan biggest culprit - Bersih

The recently-concluded Semenyih by-election recorded the highest number of electoral offences than the previous six by-elections conducted since GE14, said Bersih today.

The electoral reform group's chairperson Thomas Fann told a press conference that the highest number of offences was committed by Pakatan Harapan (21), followed by BN (13), and one by an unknown party.

"We are disappointed that despite efforts to highlight election offences by the Election Commission (EC) and Bersih, there are still political parties breaking the law.

"Is this because they think no action will be taken against them even if they break the law?" he told reporters at the Bersih headquarters in Petaling Jaya.

Fann pointed out that although those who break election laws can be imprisoned, or fined, not many such offenders are produced in court.

"We notice that there are hardly any such cases taken to the court. In fact, I cannot remember any at all, after GE14, except those involving a seat vacancy like that of Cameron Highlands," he said.

Out of the 35 offences committed, eight concern exerting undue influence (by Harapan), five pertains to presenting gifts or serving food to constituents (also by Harapan), and two regarding violence, intimidation and disturbance (one each by Harapan and BN).

Three offences concerning the use of race and religion in campaigning were all committed by BN, while of the 17 offences that happened on polling day on March 2, including having 'pondok panas' (campaign booths), eight were committed by Harapan and nine by BN.

The two other candidates, namely PSM's Nik Aziz Afiq Abdul, and independent Kuan Chee Heng, committed no offence, said Bersih.  - Mkini