Umno: Cameras intimidate voters

BEAUFORT: Sabah Umno Youth wants the Election Commission (EC) to cancel its plan to put up video cameras at polling streams during the Kimanis by-election this Saturday, deeming it an act to instil fear among voters.

Its chief Aziz Julkarnain said that while the EC must be transparent, they must also uphold their duty to maintain ballot secrecy.

“We do not want Kimanis constituents to be scared casting their votes as the government might be looking at them via the cameras.

“The government should not pick who they help, whether the constituents are Barisan supporters, non-partisan or Warisan supporters – if the people needed help, they should be given appropriate assistance.

“The cameras’ installation would lead to the constituents feeling they are forced to vote for the government.

“It would be best if the EC cancels plans to install them as it would affect the democratic process during the election, ” he said in a press conference at the Barisan Nasional Command Centre in Kimanis Centre yesterday.

Earlier, the EC chairman said in a statement that they would be installing video cameras at all 68 polling streams in the 19 polling districts on election day.

He assured that ballot secrecy would not be compromised and that the devices are in place to record the goings-on to ensure things are being done in accordance with guidelines.

Meanwhile, Aziz expressed regret over incidents he deemed election offences by Parti Warisan Sabah and its supporters.

He noted the viral video of Barisan’s campaign materials being taken down by alleged Warisan supporters at Kampung Madang Pimping in Membakut on Monday.

“This was witnessed by State Infrastructure Development Minister Datuk Peter Anthony and Sukau assemblyman Datuk Saddi Abdul Rahman (both from Warisan).

“It is against the rules to have campaign materials taken down by a rival team; only the EC or the authorities can do so, ” he said, adding that a police report had been made on the matter at the Membakut police station.