Wednesday, October 03, 2018

7 candidates in PD elections? Are they given 'equal opportunity', by the media, EC, police?

There are 7 candidates in the Port Dickson by-elections, but sadly all the candidates are not being given equal coverage by the Media.



Like the times of UMNO-BN, the incumbent government party candidate, in this Anwar Ibrahim of Pakatan Harapan, is getting a lot of coverage.

This is not FREE AND FAIR elections, is it. Every candidate must be given equitable time in the media to advance their reasons why the constituents need to vote for them, and not some other.

Negeri Sembilan and Malaysia is governed by the Pakatan Harapan-led government - so, let's also insist that government machinery and money is not being used to better the chances for the Pakatan Harapan candidate to win.

There must not be 'promises' for new projects for Port Dickson...neither should there be State Government or Federal Government 'meetings' or events during the campaigning period of this by-elections.

The spending limit for a candidate standing for elections is RM200,000-00 - now is the Election Commission monitoring this. The reason for a election spending limit is to ensure a FAIR elections fair for all candidates.

Election Offences - After PRU14, there must have been many reports lodged - BUT what has happened to these. Somehow, after someone wins, nobody acts on these reports - on reports of 'imposter' voters, pay-outs and money offered, etc .. Candidates who lost may be interested in Election Petition to 'knock-out' the winner or force a re-elections...But what about the election offences - all those reports. Many voting and counting agents have recorded these...but many a times, they simply pass it to the candidate (or his/her agent), who may not even make a report with the Election Commission or the police.




EC on PD by-election: Fight clean and fair
PORT DICKSON: The Election Commission (EC) has reminded candidates contesting in the by-election here to conduct clean campaigns and not flout the regulations.

Its chairman Azhar Azizan Harun (pic) said candidates and political parties should not conduct campaigning activities, such as organising dinner functions (majlis jamuan), giving gifts to fish for votes or misusing government assets, as well as campaigning using racial and religious sentiments.

"If such campaigning activities take place, stern action will be taken in line with the Election Offences Act 1954," he said in a statement Tuesday (Oct 2).

Azhar added that to ensure the election process runs smoothly and harmoniously, all parties, including political leaders, candidates and supporters, must follow all the rules set by the authorities, such as the EC, police and local councils.

He said the onus is on the candidates and political parties to ensure that activities carried out throughout the Port Dickson by-election does not go against any laws, and would not cause confusion for the voters.

"The EC would urge people to lodge a report if any parties are found guilty in flouting the laws and regulations during the official campaigning period.

"We would also like to remind parties that during polling day, no one is allowed to campaign or canvas for votes, even through social media including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram," he said, adding that the EC hopes that everyone will carry out campaigns ethically.

The EC has set Oct 13 as polling day for the Port Dickson by-election, which will see a seven-cornered fight.

Those contesting are PKR president-elect Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, former Negri Sembilan mentri besar Tan Sri Isa Samad, Lt Kol (Rtd) Mohd Nazari Mokhtar from PAS, Anwar's ex-aide Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan, Stevie Chan Keng Leong, Lau Seck Yan and Kan Chee Yuen.- Star, 2/10/2018

Bersih tired of intimidation


PETALING JAYA: Electoral watchdog Bersih 2.0 says there needs to be an immediate change to the police’s standard operating procedures in investigating electoral offence reports.

Bersih 2.0 acting chairperson Shahrul Aman Mohd Saari said he was tired of the “intimidation from the police, every time Bersih made a report on an electoral offence in a by-election”.

“We find hundreds of electoral offences committed during by-elections and every time, we are asked to go to the police station to give our statements,” Shahrul told a press conference here yesterday.

“This should stop. We don’t have the time for this unnecessary inti­midation.”

Bersih 2.0 acting chairperson Shahrul Aman Mohd Saari said he was tired of the “intimidation from the police, every time Bersih made a report on an electoral offence in a by-election”.

“We find hundreds of electoral offences committed during by-elections and every time, we are asked to go to the police station to give our statements,” Shahrul told a press conference here yesterday.

“This should stop. We don’t have the time for this unnecessary inti­midation.”
 
Bersih will be monitoring the ongoing campaign during the Port Dickson by-election until voting day on Oct 13.
It said that it would be requesting all the Port Dickson by-election candidates to pledge a clean and fair campaign during the by-election.

Bersih 2.0 executive director Yap Swee Seng said the present SOP used by the police also put fear into the public from reporting on electoral offences during elections.

“Investigate the one who has been reported on and not those who made the report,” said Yap.

He also said Bersih had decided to file reports with the Election Com­mission (EC), the Malaysian Com­mu­nication and Multimedia Com­mission (MCMC) and the Ma­­lay­sian Anti-Corruption Commis­sion (MACC).

“We expect these agencies to take our reports seriously and then file reports with the police, and EC should deal with the police,” said Yap.

Shahrul said that offers of freebies, especially free food, had become a norm and this should be viewed seriously as an electoral offence, as it may “induce voters”.

“Feeding party workers is all right, as long as they meet the electoral procedures of not exceeding RM200,000 throughout the campaign, but we always hear offers of kambing golek (roast lamb) and nasi kawah.

“Those from Bersih are told not to accept free food. As for the media (being fed), please use your conscience in eating free food, as it may be undue influence to supporting them in your coverage,” said Shahrul.

Bersih said concerned public could file complaints on electoral offences at aduan.pemantau.org or

Whatsapp 017-253 7923.

They may also call 017-253 7917.- Star, 2/10/2018


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