Ministers, civil servants reminded not to campaign during office hours
PUTRAJAYA: The Election Commission (EC) has reminded cabinet members and politicians holding government positions that they should not campaign for the Port Dickson parliamentary byelection during working hours.
EC chairman Azhar Azizan Harun said yesterday that campaigning during working hours was an abuse of position.
“They (cabinet members) should be aware of the difference between their tasks as members of the government administration, and party leader or member.”
Azhar said cabinet members should never use government assets or facilities for campaigning.
He said announcing development projects in Port Dickson or pledging something if a candidate wins could be construed as an election offence.
It could be used as grounds in petitions to invalidate the election.
On the issue of approval given to PKR presidentelect Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to enter military camps while Pas candidate was denied entry, Azhar said the EC proposed that military camps give equal opportunity to all candidates to campaign, but they must be subjected to security procedures at the camps.
“It is not fair if one candidate is allowed to campaign in military camps, while others are not allowed.”
He said EC took note that there were campaign activities that resulted in negative reactions among the people, and could taint the election process and democratic practice.