JOHOR POLLS | A DAP lawmaker has alleged that a BN candidate in the Johor polls, Ling Tian Soon, violated election laws by canvassing for support on polling day today.
The Keranji state assemblyperson, Chong Zhemin, said Ling, who is contesting the Yong Peng seat, did so by uploading a video (above) onto his social media account.
“The video clip was uploaded to his Facebook page at 1.30am today. The act of canvassing for support on polling day is a breach of the Election Act,” Chong said in a text message to Malaysiakini.
“I urge the Election Commission (EC) to immediately take action against him (Ling).”
In the four-minute, nine-second video clip, Ling's wife, clad in a blue shirt bearing the words "Yong Peng", shared her feelings and experience of having a husband busy with political work and serving the constituents.
"When he was defeated (in the 2018 general election), he still looked cheerful and I thought he was not that sad.
“Many said it's not necessary to vote for Tian Soon as they felt he will continue to serve even if they don't vote for him. But I feel that voting for him is to give him credit," she said.
The video’s caption read: “Vote for him and give him credit for his work.”
Chong said a report will be lodged on the video with the EC returning officer.
In an immediate response, Ling said the video was not meant to canvass support as no party logo was seen and the post was uploaded to his own Facebook page.
“This is merely a short video of my wife's message for me and I just shared it. It's simple, I share my life with you on social media.
“This is very common, it's something normal. I am not doing a live (broadcast) showing the party logo saying you must support me," he told media when met in Johor.
Logos near polling centre
Meanwhile, Chong said Pakatan Harapan also lodged a complaint with the EC after a person was seen campaigning in a BN shirt.
Vehicles, bearing the BN logo, were also seen ferrying voters close to a polling centre in the Yong Peng constituency, he added.
"A BN supporter clad in a shirt bearing the word 'Ah Soon' canvassing for BN just 10 metres away from the SMK Dato' Seth polling centre. This is a violation of the Election Act.
"At the same polling centre, two vehicles bearing the BN logo were found to have parked less than 10 metres away from the polling centre, which is another violation of the Act."
"Harapan's station master has lodged a complaint and a protest with EC officials (who are stationed at the SK Seri Bertam polling centre).
"Actions seem to have been taken as we no longer see the supporter and vehicles when we checked later," added Chong.
Despite this, he urged BN to respect the law and cease its campaign activity.
‘Voting slips’ confiscated
Meanwhile, Chong said several voters were found with ‘voting slips’ bearing BN and Perikatan Nasional (PN) logos in the Yong Peng constituency.
The slips appeared to be pieces of mock voting slips bearing political logos indicating directions on voting.
Chong said nine voters were found carrying the slips, believed to be given to them at two polling centres - SK Seri Bertam and SMK Dato’ Seth.
"Our polling and counting agent (Paca) lodged a report with the EC that a total of nine voting slips bearing PN and BN logos and 'X' marks were found with the voters.
"After a complaint was lodged, these voting slips were confiscated," he said.
Chong suspected the voting slips were given to voters at BN and PN booths.
"It is up to our candidate Alan Tee to decide if he wants to lodge a police report," he said. - Mkini
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