The Election Commission (EC) decision to use the July 31 updated electoral roll, instead of the officially gazetted roll of June 19, for the Permatang Pauh by-election is a major departure from accepted election convention.

Local election watchdog Malaysians for Free and Fair Elections (Mafrel) insists that EC should use the gazetted roll - referring to the list that has been scrutinised by the public.

ong boon keong 250808 01 Even if gazetted rolls are tainted with missing names, addresses and other particulars, Mafrel's Permatang Pauh observation team director Ong Boon Keong said EC was wrong in using an updated version of the gazetted roll for the by-election.

"The hasty updating of the by-election roll seems to prevent proper checks and verifications by concerned citizens and civil societies.

"It raises suspicion that some voters's names may be deleted without proper rectifications," he said.

EC has claimed that the by-election roll was merely an updated version of an unblemished and unchallengable roll, but Mafrel has discovered many discrepancies and mistakes in the roll, similar to those found in past rolls, including a case of a dead man appearing in the updated roll.

Unable to trace voters

Mafrel is unable to trace many voters and their addresses as stipulated in the updated roll.

"The frequent appearances of such anomalies in all election rolls testify fundamental weakness in EC’s data base and election roll management," said Ong, criticising the RM250 per roll price tag as too costly for civil societies to buy and scrutinise.

Mafrel election index compilation on the by-election showed daily violations of elections laws and practice that could prevent a free and fair election, and Ong also lamented over the lack of enforcement to prevent flaunting of the Election Offences Act 1948.

Two types of violations have been identified.

One is the violation against freedom that is threats of violence and intimidation by party workers and police.

Mafrel ticked off the presence of security personnel – an estimated 6,000 personnel for less than 60,000 voters - as excessive and bullish.

Principles compromised

The second is violation against a fair and free election including abuse of public resources, government functions, political authorities, handouts of goodies and dinners to voters, cheating, vote buying and malicious campaigns.

"Principles of free and fair elections have been compromised," alleged Ong.

He complained that character assassination and pervasive racial campaign, though may help certain candidates achieve short term gains, but would harm the nation building process based on democracy and multi-racial society.

Mafrel also noted that the mainstream media was controlled by a certain party while other parties have utilised the cyber media.

Ong said the violations of election laws, misuse of state machineries and media partisanship have undermined the election credibility.

"We would like to appeal to all parties to be in a red alert against any actions by any parties to sabotage the election and frustrate the will of the people to elect their representative on own free will," he said, cautioning voters and party workers not to react to any provocations - as escalations may nullify the election result.

Permatang Pauh: Mother of all by-elections