Independent candidate for the Ba'Kelalan by-election Baru Bian has filed a police report on the alleged attempts by certain quarters to confuse voters by giving the wrong locations for polling stations.

He also lodged another police report in Lawas against state Second Resource Management and Planning Minister Awang Tengah Ali Hasan and several others for allegedly abusing government facilities for political campaigning.

Lawas district police chief Hussain Jamuie confirmed that two police reports were lodged this morning.

Yesterday, Barisan Nasional (BN) lodged a report against the Independent candidate alleging that the printer's name and address was not on his election posters.

According to Hussain, Lawas police had received four reports so far, including one during nomination. However, he did not reveal the content of the report lodged on nomination day.

Government vehicles

Contacted at his operations centre in Lawas, Baru said if voters turned-up at the wrong polling station there would be no time for them to go to the right one due to the distance.

"That is if they can find a vehicle to do that in the first place," he added.

On the other report, Baru said he spotted government vehicles at a village in Lawas.

"Awang Tengah and BN campaigners were at the village," he said, adding that the use of government vehicles for campaign purposes amounted to an abuse of power.

Meanwhile, Sarawak Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud, who is also state BN chairperson, is expected to go to Lawas to shore up support for BN candidate Nelson Balang.

Baru also said in the one week he had covered the area, except for Bario, the response form the ground has been good.

"I heard they are worried about Limbang and that is why the chief minister is going there," he added.

Polling starts at 8 am tomorrow and closes at 2 pm in 34 polling stations in six polling districts. The result is expected to be announced at around 8 pm

Most observers have agreed that the contest is going to be close. The seat fell vacant following the death of incumbent Dr Judson Tagal in a helicopter crash on July 12.

TONY THIEN is malaysiakini 's Sarawak-based stringer.