KUALA LUMPUR: The Election Commission (EC) advised the public not to fall for false information and pictures regarding the Kajang by-election, including those found on tour buses in the area.
A statement from the EC on Saturday said the reports and pictures were put up to give the perception that the by-election would be manipulated and foreigners used as voters.
"The report is also linked to the delayed date of the Kajang by-election. To us, the report is written with the intention to make the EC look bad," it said.
On Feb 19, a portal published an article titled 'Perkembangan Pelik di Kajang, SPR Patut Minimakan Ruang Manipulasi' (Weird Developments in Kajang, EC should Minimise Room For Manipulation), which claimed that Solidariti Anak Muda Malaysia (a non-governmental organisation) saw several buses dropping off Myanmar nationals in front of the Kajang KTM station, among others.
EC described the report as baseless and assured that all elections were carried out with transparency and according to existing laws and regulations.
"The report shows that the writer does not understand how elections are conducted and intentionally twisted the facts and pictures to confuse the public.
"If the writer does not understand or is not clear on the election process, he can meet the EC instead of confusing the public with such accusations," the statement said.
The EC also stressed that none of its personnel were included as early voters for the by-election, and that it only involved 1,197 policemen.
The statement added that EC's personnel for the by-election was appointed by the Returning Officer (RO) and not the Selangor Election Office or EC Headquarters.
"The EC cannot interfere or determine who will be on duty. This matter is left to the discretion of the RO and must follow requirements and guidelines set by the EC," it said.
On the issue of election personnel on duty during the by-election, the commission said 65 per cent will comprise those from outside of Kajang and non-voters in order to reduce the number of postal voters.
"The remaining 35 per cent are personnel made up of voters in Kajang. For personnel who are voters, they will be able to choose whether to vote normally or apply for postal voting," it said.
The Kajang seat fell vacant after its incumbent, Lee Chin Cheh from PKR, resigned on Jan 27.
The EC has fixed March 11 for nomination and polling on March 23.
Barisan Nasional has named MCA vice-president Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun as its candidate, while PKR has announced that it will be fielding its adviser, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is also Opposition Leader. - Bernama
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