Election campaigners caught violating the rules to face the music

(The Star) BUTTERWORTH: A law spelling out a list of no-nos on polling day will be strictly enforced for the May 31 Penanti by-election.

Election Commission secretary Datuk Ngah Senik said that since the law was passed in 2003, the EC 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,” he told a media briefing in Seberang Jaya here yesterday.

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 50m 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 (pondok panas) within 50m 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,” Ngah said.

“The Penanti by-election will be a good yardstick to measure the success of enforcing this law.”