Stop political campaigns 3 days before polls, says ex-EC man

 

A former election official says a three-day cooling-off period should be provided before voters cast their ballots.

PETALING JAYA: A former top Election Commission official has suggested that the Election Offences Act 1954 be amended to extend the campaign silence period to three days.

Speaking to FMT, former EC deputy chairman Wan Ahmad Wan Omar said the cooling-off period will create a more conducive and peaceful environment ahead of the polls.

“The government should extend our silence period to three days prior to the polling day given that campaigning is something that is ongoing every day of the year – even before the commencement date of campaigning,” he told FMT.

“Three days before the polls, voters have (already) made up their minds about which candidate or party they are going to vote for.”

The Election Offences Act states that campaigning should end a day before polling day.

Wan Ahmad said political banners, flags, posters and other campaigning material should be taken down during the campaign silence period.

He also said candidates or parties should not deliver speeches or publish content on mass or social media which are related to the election.

Wan Ahmad mooted withholding campaigning deposits of those who fail to comply.

“We should also ban the setting up of party booths near polling stations as it can be a source of disruption during voting day,” he said.

He also described such party booths as “irrelevant” as voters can now check their polling information either online or with EC officials at polling stations.

Wan Ahmad said the EC has the required resources to enforce a three-day campaign silence period, adding that by-elections would serve as a good opportunity to test the idea. - FMT