EC: Up to PKR if Opposition wants to use its logo

PETALING JAYA: The Opposition’s plan to contest the general election using PKR’s logo is solely up to PKR and not the Election Commission, the EC says.

Its chairman Tan Sri Mohd Hashim Abdullah clarified that the EC has no objection to the Opposition’s intention to use the PKR logo.

He reiterated the EC’s earlier statement that the permission for any candidate to use that logo is up to the party.

“However, for the purpose of contesting in the 14th General Election, political parties must be parties that are registered and allowed to carry out activities under the Societies Act 1966.

“For parties that allow potential candidates to contest representing the said political party (PKR), they are required to bring along the written authority,” he said in a statement yesterday.

Mohd Hashim added that the written authority has to be signed by a responsible official of PKR to authorise the candidate to use the party’s symbol as provided for under Regulation 11(2)(d) of the Election (Conduct of Elections) Regulations 1981.

Mohd Hashim said that for any candidate who does not obtain written authority from the party that he or she wants to represent, and if that candidate is eligible to contest, the returning officer will allocate an existing symbol for the candidate that has been set as a replacement.

He also stressed that as long as the rules were followed, an individual is eligible to represent any party that has given such written authority.

“There is no provision stating that party members may only represent their own parties in the general election and the EC has never objected as long as Regulation 11(2) (d) of the Election (Conduct of Elections) Regulations 1981 is fully complied with.

“The complete rules and guidelines regarding the use of logos and campaign materials will be released soon to clarify to all stakeholders,” he said.