EC: GE13 not dirtiest, but the best
EC chief Abdul Aziz Yusof says contrary to the opposition’s claims, the coming polls will be the best ever.
Leven Woon, FMT
Election Commission chairman Abdul Aziz Yusof has dismissed the opposition’s claim that the 13th general election will be the dirtiest polls ever, saying that the EC has put in place various reforms to ensure the integrity of the contest.
Commenting on the claims that the frequent occurrence of political violence is a sign that the country is heading towards the dirtiest polls ever, Abdul Aziz said detractors failed to see EC’s efforts of introducing 19 new rules to improve the conduct of the polls.
The regulations included the indelible ink, registration of advanced voters and postal voters, allowing advanced voting for military personnel and spouses instead of postal voting, abolishing the process of protest on nomination day, and allowing the disabled to bring a companion to help them to vote.
“I disagree that it will be the dirtiest. We have put in place so many changes… So we hope it will be the best election ever held,” he said.
Abdul Aziz was addressing media queries at a conference after announcing the nomination and polling dates.
He contended that the level of political violence “is not very serious” and hoped leaders from various political parties can advise their supporters and members to be rationale.
Using government asset to campaign
On the concerns of the caretaker government using state assets to campaign for party interests, he said each state by right should abide by the code of ethics imposed by respective state administrations.
“However, the code of ethics is only a guideline, it is not a form of stipulated laws which can be tendered in court,” he said.
