The rural folk can contribute to making the country's election process clean, fair and democratic by not expecting or asking

for any "incentives" when casting their votes for the candidate of their choice, Deputy Information Communication and Culture Minister Joseph Salang said.

He said that besides being improper, such action could backfire on the winning candidate through lawsuit instituted by the defeated party.

He gave the advice at a meet-the-people session at Rh. Guntor in Sungai Berkiok, Merurun in Julun last night.

"Now the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is actively monitoring the whole election process for such and other misdeeds.

"Those caught committing the offence can be punished. The winning candidate, either from the government or the opposition, will be implicated as well," he said.

Salang said the payment of such incentives would also add to the election cost and candidates with potential to be good leaders but with limited financial resources might not be able to contest.

- Bernama