Bersih is seeking an explanation from the Election Commission (EC) after Perikatan Nasional was documented distributing the commission’s envelopes to voters on polling day during last month’s Sabah election.
Speaking at an online press conference this morning, Bersih chairperson Thomas Fann said he had been on duty as an election observer on Sept 26 at the SK Bingkor polling station in Keningau.
Fann said he saw a PN pondok panas (election booth) outside the school distributing EC envelopes containing voter cards along with a “slip” bearing the PN logo to voters.
Voters were observed collecting these envelopes and slips before heading into the school to cast their ballot.
The incident was recorded under a possible “corruption and vote-buying” offence in the voter rights NGO’s new report on the recent election.
“I am not sure if this sort of ‘cooperation’ between the local EC (office) and this political party is supposed to take place.
“It certainly gave the impression that the EC is endorsing this particular party in that particular constituency. I call on the EC to please investigate this,” he said.
Fann added that Bersih would be sending a full report about this and other offences to the commission, later today.
“We would like an official response from the EC that this is not something they endorse because it transmits a very biased position to voters on the ground.
“Why was a political party doing the work of the EC?” he asked.
The EC is parked under the Prime Minister’s Department and is tasked with conducting elections. Malaysiakini has contacted the commission and is awaiting a response.
Vote-buying: Warisan, GRS tied
Launched this morning, Bersih’s full report also detailed a second possible “corruption and vote-buying” offence in Bingkor.
Its election observers noted a long queue of voters outside the Bingkor representative’s office which bore a Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (Star) flag.
“Our observers suspected that cash handout activities were happening,” said the report.
Robert Tawik won the state seat in GE14 and defended it in the recent snap election.
Malaysiakini has contacted the Star vice-president and is awaiting his response.
According to the Bersih report, Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) - an alliance comprising PN, BN and PBS - recorded seven “corruption and vote-buying” offences. Rivals Warisan Plus recorded the same.
GRS was said to have distributed cash handouts to voters in Kemabong, Darau, Sungai Sibuga and Kampung Pimping Membakut in Beaufort and Kampong Tinosa 1 in Sandakan.
Warisan Plus, meanwhile, was said to have distributed cash handouts to voters in Batu 7 and Gum-Gum in Sandakan, Semporna, Kolombong and Kampung Pimping Membakut in Beaufort.
Bersih also recorded seven instances where Warisan Plus campaigned using state government assets, while GRS used federal government resources in five instances.
In total, it said Warisan recorded 22 election offences compared to GRS’ 18.
Hopeful lawmakers starting out as lawbreakers
Commenting on the report as a whole, Fann chastised the EC, police and MACC for not punishing offenders in past by-elections.
The lax enforcement, he said, had led to a culture of impunity and “immunity” among candidates and parties.
“As far as the major parties are concerned, even the local parties, there is disrespect for election law. And I would say that is directly due to how the authorities just do not take action to respond to police reports made.
“There is quite a bit of irony that during an election when you have candidates contesting to be lawmakers, they start off by being lawbreakers,” Fann added.
The report nevertheless commended the EC for handling the election, especially the polling and vote-counting processes, well.
Bersih highlighted that chairs, wheelchairs and even buggy vehicles were provided at some polling stations.
However, observers noted several lapses in adherence to Covid-19 standard operating procedures (SOPs). In one example, it said little physical distancing was observed between voters at the SMK Karakit and SK Logtohog polling stations in Banggi.
Bersih had 26 election observers on the ground at 24 state constituencies during the Sabah election. It had a further seven “online” observers in nine seats.
The observation period was from after the Sabah legislative assembly was dissolved on July 30 to when election results were announced. - Mkini
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