Election Commission in Malaysia to go by the book in Penanti, for the first time ever!
The law spelling out a list of prohibitions on polling days will be strictly enforced for the first time ever during the 31st May 2009 Penanti by-election, so the Election Commission secretary Ngah Senik, he also reportedly said, he clarified that since the law was passed in 2003, the Commission had not enforced it, “as enforcement is the prerogative of the police.”
“But this time around, we have requested for the law to be enforced”.
"Penanti will be the testing ground for it” he evidently told a media briefing in Seberang Jaya on Thursday 21st May 2009
Under the Election Offences Act:
No person is allowed to check the identity or names of voters in the Electoral Roll, solicit or influence them, or wait or loiter within 50 metres of polling stations.
No one is allowed to wear, hold or carry any form of clothing, head covering, ornament, rosette, water bottle or umbrella showing the symbol of any political party within 50m of the station.
Election campaigners found setting up booths within 50metres of polling stations risk a RM5,000 fine, jail for up to a year, or both.
“A few political parties have given their word to abide by the election rules on polling day.”
“The Penanti by-election will be a good yardstick to measure the success of enforcing this law,” Ngah reportedly said.
Is Ngah doing his job properly for the first time at this by election only because the Barisan National coalition of Najib Razak (in effect Ngah's boss) has decided not to risk a massive defeat by contesting this by election?
One can but wonder.
Dum excusare credis, accusas
When you believe you are excusing yourself, you are accusing yourself
Oh, the times! Oh, the morals!
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