Ban on bringing mobile phones should be maintained – Tun M

ANAK BUKIT - The ban on bringing mobile phones into polling centres should remain for all future General Elections. Gerakan Tanah Air (GTA) chairmanTun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said this is to prevent the culture of corruption.

Dr Mahathir said the Electoral Commission (EC) should maintain the rule, which has been introduced for the first time in the 15th General Election (GE15).

The rule was made following claims that voters could snap a photo of their votes and post it, leading to bribery.

"When a mobile phone can't be brought into a polling booth, the voters can't reveal the details of who they are voting for." he told by reporters after voting at Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Titi Gajah for the Kuala Kedah Parliamentary seat today.

Dr Mahathir stressed that the act of giving out money for voting for a particular party was an offence.

" Incidents have happened before where political parties give out money to those who have voted for them. "I hope the EC will keep this rule for the next general elections so we are able to avoid corruption and bribery," he added.

In October, Dr Mahathir suggested that the EC prohibit voters from bringing mobile phones to polling centres to avoid a culture of corruption.

The former Prime Minister also reminded the EC that voters could show pictures of their ballot papers they had crossed out to political parties for a reward.

In the meantime, the Langkawi Parliamentary candidate is satisfied with the smooth voting process in Langkawi.

"I visited two polling places in Ayer Hangat and Kuah and the turnout is not much in the morning but all were able to vote well.

"I find that in this GE15, a lot of people are eager to vote and many have come out to fulfil their responsibilities," he added.