THE Election Commission (EC) said it has established two Election Campaign Empowerment Teams to monitor the activities of candidates contesting in the Pelangai state legislative assembly (PRK) by-election adding that the teams would monitor 3R (race, religion and royal) issues not being abused during the election campaign.EC chairman Tan Sri Abdul Ghani Salleh said in a statement to the media that parties are allowed to campaign normally but the teams will look into matters that develop into bad feelings, dissatisfaction, hostility or racial elements and touch on religious sensitivities including the 3R issues.
“The EC hopes that the campaigning activities will run in a harmonious atmosphere and by the laws and regulations,” he said in the statement today.He added that there is no limit on the campaign materials to be distributed by each party during the period.“There is no limit set to pictures of competing political parties and pictures of leaders of component political parties, coalitions or alliances on election campaign materials.”
After the nomination of the candidates today, the campaigning period has now started, with the period lasting until 11.59pm on Oct 6. Voting is on Oct 7.The by-election is being held following the death of Datuk Seri Johari Harun, 53, as a result of a plane crash in Shah Alam on Aug 17.The Pelangai by-election will have a three-cornered fight between Barisan Nasional’s Datuk Amizar Abu Adam, Perikatan Nasional’s Kasim Samat and independent candidate Haslihelmy DM Zulhasli. – Sept 23, 2023
