Opposition lawmakers file motion to debate new campaign permit conditions

TG PIAI POLLS | Opposition lawmakers in parliament have submitted an urgent motion to debate a condition requiring candidates in the ongoing Tanjung Piai by-election to apply for a police permit for their door-to-door and moving campaign activities.

Opposition leader Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the motion submitted to the office of the Dewan Rakyat Speaker is expected to be debated tomorrow.

"It is up to the speaker's discretion to allow or reject our motion.

"If allowed then we will debate the motion," the Bera MP told reporters in

parliament today. 

He also revealed that the opposition lawmakers would mount a legal challenge against the condition imposed by the police, as reminded by Election Commission chief Azhar Azizan Harun yesterday.

"We unanimously voice our regret over the EC's latest directive with regards to campaign regulations.

"We view this new condition as being aimed at restricting movements of contesting candidates," said Ismail, adding that they view the condition as unprecedented and an obstacle to the candidates.

Ismail further claimed that the condition goes against provisions of the Election Act.

"We were made to understand that the condition was set by the police.

"But I would like to stress that in any election, the power to carry out an election lies with the Election Commission and not the police," he stressed.

Meanwhile, electoral reform coalition Bersih urged the EC, as the highest body for electoral management, to reject the condition set by the police.

Bersih said EC under Article 115(2) of the Federal Constitution has a mandate to seek assistance from public authorities, which in turn must render such assistance as requested.

Bersih also cautioned the police against going beyond the limit set out in Section 24B, Election Offences Act 1954, which states that a candidate only needs to obtain a permit to organise any meetings, rally, display, or such entertainment involving speeches or lectures.

"It is unreasonable for the police to impose unnecessary rules to restrict the campaigning methods of a candidate, more so when the rules are set midway of the campaigning period.

"With the short campaign period, the requirement to apply for a door-to-door campaign (permit) is unreasonable and unfair for the candidates," stressed Bersih.

Azhar yesterday said all parties or candidates involved in the campaign should comply with regulations stipulated for campaigning, particularly involving permit application.

This followed a meeting held between EC officials and officers from the Pontian police headquarters to coordinate and clarify issues concerning campaigning permits and regulations.

The EC has fixed Saturday as polling day for the Tanjung Piai by-election which will see a six-cornered fight involving Pakatan Harapan candidate Karmaine Sardini, BN candidate Wee Jeck Seng, Wendy Subramaniam (Gerakan), and Badhrulhisham Abdul Aziz from Barisan Jemaah Islamiah (Berjasa).

Also in the race are two Independent candidates, Dr Ang Chuan Lock and Faridah Aryani Abd Ghaffar.

The by-election is held following the death of incumbent MP Dr Md Farid Md Rafik, 42, on Sept 21 due to a heart complication. - Mkini