Citizen monitoring campaign Pemantau has once again been launched, in preparation for the forthcoming 14th general election.

The campaign was launched by electoral reform group Bersih, together with Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram), Pusat Komas as well as other NGOs, during a press conference held at the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall today.

Bersih chairperson Maria Chin Abdullah explained that the Pemantau campaign is a citizen's initiative to prevent electoral fraud and offences in the coming GE14.

Pemantau, Maria (photo) said, would monitor the Election Commission (EC), political parties and election candidates during the election period.

"Any (electoral) fraud or offence will be reported and legal action will be taken, if necessary," said Maria, reading the joint statement from the group.

Among others, Pemantau coordinators and volunteers would focus on instances of vote buying, use of government assets, excessive spending, intimidation and violence, unfair treatment by EC officials as well as problems during polling day.

Pemantau's hotline was also launched today and members of the public can make reports on electoral fraud by accessing aduan.pemantau.org, emailing aduan@pemantau.org, calling 03-7931 4444 or messaging via WhatsApp at 011-1772 1546.

With a target of 3,000 Pemantau volunteers as well as 100 Pemantau coordinators, Maria said those interested to become volunteers can register at www.pemantau.org/daftar.

Suaram executive director Sevan Doraisamy said Suaram would be focusing on monitoring instances involving human rights abuse and political violence.

"Nomination day should be peaceful, so we will be monitoring this," Sevan said.

He also cited Pemantau's report, which stated that the last general election had recorded the highest number of cases involving political violence.

"This will be our focus in the coming general election."

Suaram will also monitor campaigning and ceramah sessions as there have been instances where police did not allow candidates to freely do so.

"All candidates have the right to campaign. The police should facilitate the campaign process," Sevan added.

Pusat Komas programme director Adli Zakuan Zairakithnaini said his organisation would monitor issues involving racism.

Pusat Komas, he added, had launched a smartphone app called "Report Racism MY" for Malaysians to report cases of racism during the election campaign period.