KOTA KINABALU: Out of 264 ceramah permit applications from candidates or their agents so far, 257 have been approved, say Sabah police.
State Crime Investigations Department (Investigation/Legal) deputy chief Asst Comm Tan Boon Sing said the unapproved seven were due to incorrectly filled forms and two had been retracted by the applicants.
Seven police reports were lodged as at midnight on Sunday, but none of them was related to the Election Offences Act, added Tan, the official police spokesperson for the state election.
“One investigation paper was opened in Penampang under Section 500 of the Penal Code while the other six reports are related to monitoring activities during the state election proceedings, ” he said in a statement yesterday.
Section 500 of the Penal Code deals with defamation.
Tan said the investigation paper involved a complaint from a person whose nomination papers were rejected in N23 Petagas.
On Saturday’s nomination day, the Election Commission (EC) disqualified Usno’s prospective candidate after it was found that he was bankrupt.
Meanwhile, Tan reminded candidates, party workers and members of the public members who attend ceramah or political gatherings to adhere to standard operating procedure set by EC and the Health Ministry.
“Attendance inside a building premises must not exceed 250 people and based on the size of the place.
“Besides getting the permit from the district police chief in the respective areas, candidates or agents must follow the regulations set by the district police, ” he said.
Tan reiterated that only a maximum of three persons were permitted for house-to-house visits during campaigning.
Also, no candidate was allowed to bring along a large group of supporters.
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