TELUK INTAN The Election Commission (EC) has urged both BN and DAP to report to the commission their tit-for-tat accusations of polls misconduct in the Teluk-Intan by-election.

 

EC chief Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof said this in response to DAP's claim that free hampers were handed out to voters at an event where BN's candidate Mah Siew Keong was present, and BN's accusation that DAP is offering buses at low fares for outstation voters to return to vote on polling day tomorrow.

 

"DAP and BN can report to the EC. After that, the EC will enlist the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission's (MACC) help to investigate those involved," he told Malaysiakini in an SMS message last night.              

 

DAP's Bukit Gasing state assemblyperson R Rajiv yesterday revealed that food hampers were given out to voters in Teluk Intan at a Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB) event where Mah was seen shaking their hands with recipients.

 

Mah in his defence told Malaysiakini he had immediately " distanced himself " when he saw the hampers were being given out, and challenged DAP to lodge a complaint with the EC.

 

At his press conference later, he hit back, arguing that the cheap bus services DAP offered voters to return to Teluk Intan to vote was an attempt at influencing voters, but stopped short of calling it vote buying.

 

DAP to lodge complaint

 

In an immediate response, Rajiv told Malaysiakini he would lodge a complaint against the hamper handouts with the EC in Teluk Intan.

 

"I will lodge a report with the EC sometime today,” he said, adding that he had already made a police report.

 

"Maybe for just this one time, there will be action taken... The ball is in their (EC) court,"

 

Under Section 10 of the Election Offences Act 1954, it is considered bribery to offer money or “valuable consideration” to influence voters, while Section 9 of the same law makes it an offence for “exerting undue influence”.

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