PETALING JAYA: Political parties, candidates and caretaker ministers contesting in GE15 must follow all related laws during the campaign period, says the Global Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih).
Based on Bersih’s own monitoring, the group found that many political parties and candidates have conducted activities that could constitute election offences.
Among them, the group found candidates from several coalitions giving free black motorbike oil at programmes as recently as Nov 4 in Melaka and Oct 21 in Pengerang, which can be seen as an offence under Section 10 of the Election Offences Act.
Bersih also found that a party in Penang had recently launched a subsidy programme to attract voters to return home to vote.
“However, based on our check, they have removed the link for these applications,” said Bersih, adding that any political parties doing similar programmes may be charged under Sections 10 and 20 of the Election Offences Act.
Bersih also found some parties have organised carnivals and programmes in conjunction with certain festivities.
“These programmes can constitute an offence under Section 10 of the Electoral Offences Act,” it said in a statement yesterday.
The group also reminded parties that government assets and machinery should not be used when campaigning.
“Bersih would like to emphasise again that candidates and political parties should campaign in a clean and fair manner based on the ideas and policies they want to offer the rakyat,” it added.