EC monitoring security situation in Sabah

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FINAL TOUCH: Election workers for P222 Lawas attending the final briefing before the 13th general election is called.

FINAL TOUCH: Election workers for P222 Lawas attending the final briefing before the 13th general election is called.

LAWAS: The Election Commission (EC) is closely monitoring the ongoing security situation in Sabah before deciding whether the 13th general election would need to be postponed for Lawas parliamentary constituency.

At this point in time the security in Sarawak is not compromised and the authorities have also stepped up preventive measures, said Datu Takun Sunggah, state EC chief, during a final briefing for all polling station officers here over the weekend.

“So far, Lawas is not affected,” he said.

Among Sarawak’s parliamentary constituencies, Lawas is nearest to Sabah. It also shares its border with Brunei and East Kalimantan.

Border security has also been tightened at the Merapok-Sindumin stretch following the deadly intrusion by Sulu terrorists into Sabah last month.

The term of the current Parliament expires on April 28, 2013, but Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak can dissolve it earlier. An election must be held within 60 days after dissolution of Parliament.

Takun said EC would be introducing the indelible ink for voters to dip in their finger to avoid repeat voting.

“No voting slip would be issued to any individual who refused to allow the Election Commission workers to apply the indelible ink on their left finger.”

Takun said Jakim had assured that the ink met the halal standard while Health Ministry had confirmed it is safe.

On voting stations, Takun said voters could determine their voting stations by browsing the EC website or at the nearest District Office when Parliament is dissolved.

He said the public could also check whether their names are on the electoral roll through the Internet or District Office.

Also present at the briefing was Lawas Returning Officer cum District Officer Mohd Supaih Hamdan.