KUALA LUMPUR: As nomination on Saturday for the 13th General Election (GE13) gets closer, the Election Commission (EC) has called on all political parties to exercise caution and ensure a healthy campaign in the run-up to polling on May 5.
EC chairman Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof expressed confidence that GE13 would be free of untoward incidents that could derail efforts to ensure a smooth and fair election process.
“If all political parties and their leaders follow the procedures and guidelines set out in the book of law, I feel the intense debates and ferocious campaigns can be carried out on a healthy platform … that is important,” he said after appearing on Bernama Radio24’s ‘Dalam Radar’ programme at Wisma Bernama.
Reminding everyone that the general election comes only once in five years, Abdul Aziz urged political parties to avoid jeopardising the campaign process by breaching the fundamentals of a free and fair election by harping on racial sentiments and causing religious disharmony.
“Have a healthy competition, follow the rules when exercising your right,” he said.
Last Wednesday, the EC announced April 20 as the date for nomination and May 5 for polling.
Abdul Aziz said he also hoped that all parties would give their fullest cooperation to the EC and local authorities by not encouraging too many supporters to be present at the nomination centres.
“We must change the culture. I am merely appealing to the parties because, under the law, I do not have the power to stop such a practice but if too many supporters throng the nomination centres, it will give the local authorities a difficult time to control the crowd,” he said.
He said the request was among various points raised by the EC at the 14 meetings it held with leaders of political parties.
He also dismissed claims that ballot papers carried identification numbers, and gave the assurance that the voting process would be 100 per cent confidential.
Asked if a ballot paper would be valid if ink had spilled on it during voting, Abdul Aziz said that in such a situation, the voter could request for a fresh ballot paper. — Bernama