EC: Law does not forbid treating by parties

Political parties are not committing an offence by holding dinners as part of their activities in Kuala Terengganu by-election campaign, according to the Election Commission (EC).

EC deputy chairperson Wan Ahmad Wan Omar said the provisions of the Election Offences Act 1954 refers to only the conduct of a candidate standing for election and to the candidate's agent.

"It is not fair to blame the candidate for something that is sometimes beyond his influence or control," said Wan Ahmad told a press conference at the Kuala Terengganu municipal council today.

He was replying to a question as to whether the multi-course 80-table dinner hosted by Gerakan for the Chinese community at the Chung Hwa Wei Sin school here could constitute an election offence.

Barisan Nasional candidate Wan Ahmad Farid Salleh had attended the event with Terengganu Menteri Besar Ahmad Said and Gerakan president Koh Tsu Koon.

Wan Ahmad said complaints about treating and vote-buying can be made to the police or the Anti-Corruption Agency, to be dealt with after the by-election on Saturday.

EC satisfied with process

Wan Ahmad also said that, thus far, the EC has yet to receive official complaints from the three candidates and that the election process since nomination day on Jan 6 has gone smoothly.

"On the whole, we are very satisfied with the support and cooperation of all the political parties involved," he said, adding that the process was smoother than in recent by-elections.

He said the police have issued 54 ceramah permits and rejected six, as these were from parties that are not contesting the by-election.

On postal voting, Wan Ahmad said that the process for some 1,302 voters began this morning. It will continue until 5.30pm on polling day.

Of the total number of postal voters, 1,001 are police personnel. The others are members of the armed forces (27), EC staff (267) and students (7).