MALACCA POLLS | Pakatan Harapan candidate contesting the Lendu state seat this morning lodged a police report, urging the authority to investigate a polling centre official who barred his representative from monitoring today's early voting process.
Asri Ibrahim (above) claimed that the Election Commission officer had started the voting process in the absence of his representative, despite the latter having provided his pass as a polling centre agent and a letter stating that he has been authorised to represent the candidate.
According to Asri, who is from PKR, his representative was only allowed inside the polling centre at Masjid Tanah police station at 10am, two hours later after early voting had started.
"This is a violation of democracy in this country. We want to have a healthy contest in this state election," he told a press conference after lodging the police report.
Asri is contesting the N04 Lendu state seat in a three-cornered fight against Perikatan Nasional's Abdullah Mahadi and incumbent Sulaiman Md Ali, who is also the state chief minister.
The candidate also called on the EC to be fair in its duties.
"We do not want EC to be used as a tool by certain quarters to remain in power.
"This is my warning. I believe it is important for EC to take this seriously because the early voting process is very important.
"Because our friends in the police and armed forces have the awareness (that they can choose), and if this process is disturbed, there may be irregularities or sabotage," he said.
Meanwhile, Alor Gajah district police chief Arshad Abu, when contacted, confirmed that police have received a report on the issue.
He told Malaysiakini that the investigating officer was looking into the case, and working to determine if there was any wrongdoing.
Alor Gajah district police chief Arshad Abu said police are investigating the case under Section 4(g) of the Election Offences Act.
The law specifically deals with offences related to violation or dereliction of duty by an election officer.
Arshad told Malaysiakini that police will record the voting centre chief's statement to facilitate the investigation. - Mkini
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