The latest electoral rolls consisting of 892,537 registered voters to be used for the May 20 state elections is clean, according to the Election Commission chief Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman today.

"We've followed the legal process. That's why people cannot query or even take us to court on the question of defects in the rolls," he told a press conference in Kuching this morning when announcing the nomination date (May 9) and polling date (May 20) for Sarawak's 9th state elections.

The 62-member state legislative assembly was dissolved today after the Yang DiPertuan Negeri Muhammad Salahddin signed the official notification and assembly speaker Awang Asia Awang Nasar subsequently notified the EC.

Responding to questions, Abdul Rashid said as far as the EC was concerned the electoral roll was prepared in accordance to the law.

"We've gone through the process, which means after people registered we displayed the rolls for objections, and after which we confirmed the rolls," he said, adding that this process was completed on March 24, 2006.

However, the EC chief added that "(if there are) people who say it is not clean, there's nothing we can do (about it)".

On steps to ensure that voters get to the right polling centres, Abdul Rashid said the EC would be resorting to the electronic media to provide the necessary information to the public.

"Voters will have to check their names against our rolls. We have a system whereby people can even use SMS. There are two companies operating this service. The system has been operating in the past few days. We also have our website where people can refer to."

EC can't punish vote buyers

On whether the EC would disqualify candidates who resorted to vote buying, Abdul Rashid said it depends on how one interprets money politics.

"Money politics implies there is corruption," he said, adding that it was not a matter under EC's jurisdiction but that of the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA).

"If there is that kind of practice then that department (ACA) will have to do its job. It is not for the EC because we don't enforce the laws as enforcement is carried out by others, such as the police."

Abdul Rashid's advice is for complainants to collect enough evidence to go to court.

"Whether or not people are involved in corrupt practices or guilty of corrupt practices is not for the EC to determine," he reiterated. "It is for the courts."

He said anyone who is not satisfied with the conduct of the election, the only way to address the subject is through the court of law.

"It is very clear in our Constitution. Nothing can be questioned except through the court of law. We, the EC, are always prepared to handle court cases on our own."

With almost a month between the dissolution of the state assembly and polling, the EC is giving adequate time to political parties to organise their activities, he said.

He advised them, however, to ensure peace and order and to make sure their supporters behave themselves.

"There is no need to resort to violence, Let's have a peaceful election being conducted. If there is a transfer of government, let's ensure there is a peaceful one."

On whether the EC would accept domestic and international observer groups, Abdul Rashid said such groups must officially write to the EC or the government.

For foreign observers, they must do it on a government-to-government basis. "So far I have not had any request being handed over from the government."

The EC's budget for the state elections is RM31 million, 30 percent higher than the last election in 2001, due to the additional nine seats added to the previous 62 seats, with more personnel needed, resulting in an increase in logistics and transportation costs.