DAP using PKR logo because ‘Malay voters will go with it’, SPR no objection
(The Sun Daily) – The Election Commission (EC) has assured that it would not prohibit Pakatan Harapan (PH) members from using a single logo for the 14th General Election (GE14), a day after Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad raised concerns over the matter.
EC chairman Tan Sri Mohd Hashim Abdullah said, as had been mentioned previously, the approval to contest under the PKR banner, as well as using its logo, was the prerogative of the party itself, and not the EC.
“However, we would like to remind that to take part in GE14, political parties must be those that are registered and allowed to conduct their activities under the Societies Act 1966.
“As for any political parties that agree to allow any prospective candidates to represent their parties, they are required to provide a written approval letter,” he said in a statement yesterday.
Mohd Hashim said the written approval must be signed by the responsible party officer to allow for the candidate to use the party’s symbol, in line with Regulation 11(2)(d) of the Elections (Conduct of Elections) Regulations 1981.
“The EC would like to stress that as long as all the rules are adhered to, any individual will be qualified to represent any party that have given the said approval.
“The provision never said that a party member must only represent his own party in the elections, and EC has never prohibited, as long as the regulations are adhered to fully,” he said.
Mahathir, who is PH chairman, had on Tuesday expressed concern that the commission might drag on until close to the nomination day on April 28 before barring members of his party — Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia — from contesting under the PKR logo.
He said he had attempted to meet representatives from the EC to iron out the matter, but that they had declined to do so.
The commission, in an immediate response, denied declining the meeting, saying the date suggested by Mahathir was inconvenient, as its legal adviser was away attending a trial in Pahang.
