RANTAU POLLS ON APRIL 13
EC expects less campaigning offences
PUTRAJAYA: The Election Commission (EC) is hoping there will be fewer offences during the 14-day campaign period of the Rantau by-election which has been fixed for April 13.
Commission chairman Azhar Azizan Harun observed that while the situation had improved during the past three by-elections, he is hoping for it to be better in Rantau.
“In Rantau, I do hope there will be less transgressions of the law regarding election offences. The political parties and candidates are now aware and the people are also more aware (of election rules).
“So I hope there will be less transgressions of such laws,” he said after announcing the key dates for the Rantau by-election.
The EC has announced that nomination will be on March 30 and polling on April 13. Early voting for Rantau is fixed for April 9.
The latest electoral roll shows that there are 20,926 registered voters in Rantau comprising 20,804 ordinary voters, 118 early voters and four absentee voters.
This will be the seventh by-election after Sungai Kandis, Balakong, Seri Setia, Port Dickson, Cameron Highlands and Semenyih.
It was reported that 43 complaints were lodged during the Cameron Highlands by-election, and 39 during the Semenyih polls.
Asked if offences continue to be committed because the punishment is not severe enough, Azhar said the EC preferred to create aware- ness and educate political parties and the voters.
Azhar also said that since the May 9 general election, the EC would have spent RM15.35mil to hold by-elections, including the one to be held in Rantau, which is estimated to cost RM1.8mil.
This by-election would involve 515 staff who will be managing 16 polling stations with a total of 55 streams.
The EC is targeting 70% voter turnout on April 13.
The nomination centre as well as the official vote tallying centre will be at SJKC Bandar Sri Sendayan.
The by-election was triggered following the Federal Court decision to uphold an earlier ruling by an Election Court to nullify the results of Rantau.
In GE14, Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan won the state seat in Negri Sembilan unopposed.
Election Court judge Azimah Omar allowed an election petition filed by Dr S. Streram, who was denied entry to submit his nomination form as he did not have a tag or pass.
Dr Streram had sought for a by-election to be held for the seat on grounds that Mohamad’s election was not valid.
Mohamad is expected to recontest the seat while PKR will name its candidate soon.