‘SEND AGENTS TO POLLING STATIONS’

This is so grouses can be addressed immediately, says EC chairman

POLITICAL parties should make sure that they deploy agents or representatives at polling centres during the 14th General Election, said Election Commission chairman Tan Sri Mohd Hashim Abdullah.

“This is to ensure that grouses on the voting process are addressed immediately.

“We will also take note of agents who are present or if there’s any party that has not sent representatives.

“If the representatives notice any discrepancy, it must be highlighted immediately. Political parties should not say they are unhappy with the voting process if they are not present.

“As voting runs from 8am to 5pm, parties should place their people at the centres on a rotational basis so that they can monitor the progress at all times,” he said, after a briefing for leaders of state political parties here.

He said the commission would not place restrictions on the number of representatives at the voting centres.

“Please send your representatives. We don’t want people to accuse and criticise us. The only restriction is parties that do not field candidates for (either parliamentary or state) seats are not allowed to have agents at the polling centres.”

Hashim said due to the unpredictable weather and rainy season, the commission would make necessary changes, including the locations, should the polling centres be affected by natural disasters.

“(In case of flood) if the listed voting centres are not used as temporary shelters, we will proceed as scheduled,” he said.