The Election Commission (EC) announced that they are tightening up the Elections Laws by introducing new measures to curb political parties and their supporters from canvassing for votes and campaigning from midnight to 5pm on polling day, to allow a cooling-off period for voters to make their choice while did not rule out the possibility that the number of supporters accompanying candidates on nomination day would be limited to a “sensible” number, so that the police strength can also be reduced.From the recent by-elections, it was noted that these two pointers were the reason for the disastrous defeat of the ruling coalition, Barisan Nasional, and they hope by curbing them BN will be able to entice the voters using various 'dubious' means to distort their opponent.
To make it a fair election, the EC should also include that no political party will be allow to entice the voters with 'goodies' and 'hand-outs' from nomination day to polling day, bring bus load of phantom voters to voter for them on polling day, and stop any mainstream medias from reporting any news covering the elections from nomination day to polling day.
If these are incorporated, the matter will be within the locality and its the duty of the candidate and his supporters to canvass for votes without external interference.
Do you think the EC will include these proposal?
photo courtesy of Malaysiakini
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