Streets mostly cleared of campaign materials

Campaign flags being cleared away in Bandar Kinrara, Puchong.

SINCE the conclusion of the 15th General Election (GE15), most candidates have removed their campaign materials well before the deadline.

Political parties, election candidates and their teams have until this Saturday (Dec 3) to remove the remaining party flags, banners and bunting or have their deposits forfeited.

Since 2004, each MP candidate is required to pay an additional RM5,000 deposit for the cleaning-up of banners, flags and posters after the elections.

According to Section 24B(8) of the Election Offences Act 1954, any election campaign material displayed or affixed shall be removed by a candidate or his election agent within 14 days after polling day.

Should one fail to comply, the deposit paid shall be forfeited and paid to the Federal Consolidated Funds and the cost for the removal of such materials shall be paid out of the sum forfeited.

Several party flags and banners can still be seen in several areas in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur.

Ling says his team cleaned up everything as early as Monday after polling day.

Meanwhile, campaign materials from the three major coalitions Pakatan Harapan, Barisan Nasional and Perikatan Nasional can still be spotted along Persiaran Setia Perdana and Persiaran Pulau Lumut in Shah Alam, Selangor.

Seven-term Cheras MP Tan Kok Wai said his team had taken down his campaign materials in the Cheras area within two to three days after polling day on Nov 19.

“We have an efficient team. They worked through wee hours in the morning to remove all the flags, bunting and billboards,” he said.

Segambut Barisan Nasional candidate Daniel Ling Sia Chin, who is also Segambut MCA chairman, said he had removed all his campaign materials in the constituency despite losing his deposit in GE15.

“My team had cleaned up everything as early as Monday after polling.

“Although I could not get back my deposit, it is still our responsibility as candidates to remove our campaign materials.

“It is a task entrusted to us and we should not leave it to the authority to clean up,” he said.

A party worker removing campaign materials in Ampang.

Ling added that despite losing GE15, he would still continue to serve the people.

Local councils are tasked with bringing down any campaign materials still remaining after the 14 days deadline from polling day.

A Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) spokesman said candidates were reminded to take down their campaign materials during this two-week grace period after polling.

“Our officers will remove campaign materials that are still hung in public areas in Shah Alam after the grace period ends,” he said.

A Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) spokesperson said DBKL would take down the remaining election campaign materials from public areas.

“DBKL will have officers take them down and if that happens, candidates will lose their deposits,” he said.