‘Uphold peace during nominations’

TODAY is the Nomination Day for GE14 and the Election Commission (EC) and the police have made preparations to ensure it proceeds peacefully.

There will be a record number of candidates in Penang as many parties have indicated they will contest the elections. Independent candidates will also join the fray.

Penang Election Commission head Md Fuad Mohd Sherif said they have sold 617 nomination forms — 146 forms for parliamentary constituencies and 471 nomination forms for state constituencies.

Comm Thaiveegan (right) with state deputy police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Roslee Chik speaking to reporters at the police headquarters in Penang.

He said each nomination form was sold for RM20.

Md Fuad said a total of 945,627 registered voters in the state would cast their votes for GE14.

“They include 5,477 armed forces personnel, 6,136 police personnel and 157 outstation voters,” he told reporters after the opening of the Penang 14th General Election media centre at Pusat Maklumat Rakyat, 1st floor, Bangunan Mara, Jalan Pengkalan Weld by Penang Federal Action Council chairman Datuk Seri Zainal Abidin Osman yesterday.

Md Fuad urged supporters of candidates to refrain from causing a commotion outside the nomination centres.

He said the centres would be opened at 9am and candidates were required to file their nomination papers between 9am and 10am.

The Campbell Street arch in George Town is decorated with Pakatan common flags

“Only three people are allowed into the nomination hall. They are the prospective candidate, a supporter and a nominee,” he said.

Meanwhile, Zainal said Penang would be among the most watched state in the general election as many parties were contesting.

State police chief Comm Datuk A. Thaiveegan said about 3,000 police personnel will be on duty today.

“We appeal to those involved in the nomination process to respect the rules and regulations. It is everyone’s responsibilty to make sure there are no untoward incidents.

“Whether they are supporters, candidates or party members, I hope they would not do anything that will provoke people and cause a disruption to the nomination process.

“Any incidents involving burning of throwing of party flags will be investigated,” he said at a press conference at the police headquarters in Penang Road yesterday.

Zainal Abidin (second left) with Fuad (right) observing reporters at work at the media centre in Bangunan Mara, Weld Quay. 

Comm Thaiveegan urged relevant parties to inform the respective district police heads of their programmes, talks and political activities and apply for permits as early as possible.

“This is to ensure we have enough time to see if the place and time is suitable and ensure the activities go on smoothly throughout the campaign period.

He said the use of drones was not encouraged and a permit was required from the police.

“If we receive complaints or find that a drone is being flown in a prohibited location, action will be taken,” he said.

Penang Traffic Enforcement and Investigation Department chief Supt Wan Sharuddin Wan Omar added that several roads near the 13 nominations centres in the state would be closed between 6am and noon today.