S'WAK POLLS Multiple election offences were committed during the Sarawak campaign with little regard or respect for a fair democratic electoral process, said Pemantau, an election watchdog set up by Bersih 2.0 and other NGOs.

Pemantau, which has over 100 observers stationed statewide, said it has witnessed instances of money politics, vote buying or mistreatment of voters on the part of BN. The group also blamed the Election Commission (EC) for failing in its duties.

"The EC has failed to ensure that the Sarawak election is conducted in a clean, free and fair way. We urge EC chairman Mohd Hashim Abdullah to resign immediately for failing in his duties," said Pemantau committee member Lena Hendry.

Pemantau also noted residents who were given money – up to RM50 each – to attend BN events in Tasik Biru.

"All of BN events organised during the campaign period saw free food being distributed. At one lavish dinner organised by Tiong King Sing Bau Town, a seven-course dinner was served to about 1,000 people," Lena said.

Pemantau also noted that up to RM36 million was approved for volunteer group Rela by Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, his deputy Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Chief Minister Adenan Satem.

Other instances of violations of rules were threats and intimidations on the part of BN.

"At an event organised by the Tourism Ministry in Serembu, cabinet minister Nazri Aziz in his speech mentioned that if the voters of the area elect an opposition leader, he will not bring any tourism-related developments to the area. He also repeatedly described such people as 'bodoh' in his speech."

Lena said the checks and balances that were supposed to be carried out by the EC were "non-existent".

"Not only was there blatant disregard of election laws, there is also an alarming sign that there is a broken democratic system being practised in the state election in Sarawak, which is now accepted as the norm," said Lena.