PD POLLS | Bersih today called for all Port Dickson by-election candidates to pledge their commitment towards a free and fair election.

At a press conference, the electoral watchdog also urged all parties to stop fishing for votes via means that violate electoral laws, including by giving away free food and abusing government facilities during campaigning.

Bersih acting chairperson Shahrul Aman Mohd Saari said they were introducing the pledge for a free and fair election as a new initiative to remind all candidates against committing any offence during the polling period.

"Copies of this pledge will be delivered to all candidates today and Bersih gives them three days to sign the pledge and return it to us.

"We call for all parties including the candidates, political parties, the Election Commission and the government to abide by electoral rules and regulations, and ensure that the Port Dickson by-election is conducted in a free and fair manner," Shahrul Aman (photo) told reporters.

Bersih also announced that they have registered themselves with the EC as observers for the by-election.

'Electoral offences still occurring'

Bersih executive director Yap Swee Seng, meanwhile, said both BN and Pakatan Harapan were guilty of committing electoral offences during the recent by-elections for Sungai Kandis, Seri Setia and Balakong. 

These include organising feasts organised for voters during the campaign period for the Sungai Kandis polls.

"Our observations found that the same problem happened in Seri Setia, despite PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail giving PKR's and Pakatan Harapan's commitment to a free and fair election.

"There were also abuses of government machinery by ministers who used their official vehicles to attend political campaigns. This should not have happened," he said.

Zakat recipients forced?

On a related matter, Bersih said they were looking into an allegation that zakat recipients were compelled to attend a programme in Port Dickson where PKR president-elect Anwar Ibrahim was scheduled to deliver a speech on Sunday.

Shahrul Aman said they will include the matter in their report on the by-election if it was found to be true, but urged the Negeri Sembilan Islamic Religious Council (Mains) to come forward and offer an explanation. 

"We hope that the council will explain and give their justification. Of course, if people are compelled to attend an event featuring an election candidate, it has the implication of an unfair advantage to other candidates,

"It also paints a bad image of the candidate and these authoritative bodies should avoid from doing such things."

Adding to that, Yap told reporters that it was important for government programmes to be separated from political activities.

He said such a practice was an abuse of government resources and should no longer happen in the 'new Malaysia'.

It was reported that the zakat recipients had allegedly been obliged to attend a Maal Hijrah Special Programme organised by Mains at the Jamek Permatang Pasir Mosque in Port Dickson.

However, both Anwar and Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Amiruddin Harun have since denied that any government machinery was involved in the event, saying that it was organised by a youth group.