Campus polls are currently underway in 17 public universities after an intense six-day campaigning period marred by allegations of irregularities and intimidation.

At present, the polls are proceeding smoothly with no untoward incidents reported.

Earlier, there was a slight confusion in Universiti Malaya (UM) following the appearance of two fake notices.

The notices, pasted on campus buildings, claimed that several candidates standing in the elections had been disqualified.

The notices carried the signature of UM deputy vice-chancellor Azarae Idris. One notice stated that 16 candidates accused by the 'anti-establishment' faction as being ineligible to contest have been disqualified.

The other notice stated that 14 candidates from the 'anti-establishment' faction were disqualified for violating UM elections rules and regulations by using the electronic media for campaigning.

The 14 candidates had posted their campaign manifesto and songs on video sharing website Youtube.com . This contravenes Section 8 subsection 46.1 of the UM election rules and regulations.

Met later, Azarae confirmed that the notices were fake. He said the university authorities have issued another notice explaining this.

Electronic voting

Polling at UM began at 9am but despite classes being cancelled, the voter turnout in the morning was poor. Polling is expected to end at 4.30pm and vote counting will begin at 7.30pm.

For Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) and the International Islamic University of Malaysia (UIA), polling will end at 5pm.

UPM and UIA are the only two universities employing the e-voting system. Last year, there were complaints of technical glitches but none have surfaced so far.

Student groups have criticised the e-voting method because of an alleged lack of transparency and that the system could be rigged.

In 2005, 'anti-establishment' factions in five universities boycotted the campus elections.

Last year, of the 17 campuses, pro-government students won in all but one, UIA.