Hadi, Ahmad wear shirts with party logo at polling stations?

KUALA TERENGGANU - The actions of Pas candidate for Marang Parliament Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang and BN candidate for Kemaman Parliament Datuk Seri Ahmad Said wearing shirts displaying the party's symbol when casting their votes causes unease among the public.

The action has violated the rules issued by the Election Commission (EC) which prohibited all voters, candidates and staff from wearing clothing displaying the name, emblem, symbol or picture of the party or candidate contesting in the 15th General Election (GE15).

Hadi was seen wearing a green jacket displaying the Pas logo on the left side of the front of the shirt when he arrived at the polling centre at Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Rusila in Marang at about 8.50am on Saturday.

Ahmad, on the other hand, was wearing a short-sleeved blue shirt that also displayed the BN logo on the left side of the shirt, but was covered by a face mask inserted in the pocket on the front left side of the shirt.

He arrived to cast his vote at SK Teluk Kalong polling station, Kijal in Kemaman, at about 7.55am on Saturday.

The actions of the two leaders, whose pictures were circulated on social media since Saturday afternoon, have been criticised by many parties, including netizens.

The action is likely to contravene Section 26(1)(g) of the Electoral Offenses Act 1954 which provided that no person should on polling day within 50 metres of the boundary of any polling place wear any form or type of clothing printed or bear the name of a candidate, emblem or symbol of any political party.

It includes shirts, hats, half-face masks (facemasks) and materials that have images or any campaign materials and campaign slogans that point to or carry the meaning of support or tend to any political ideology.

The EC in a previous statement said that if the individual failed to comply with the rules, they could be prevented from entering the polling station by election officials.

In addition, individuals who violate the rules can be jailed for up to one year, fined not more than RM5,000 or both, if convicted.

Meanwhile, Malaysian Insight reported Bersih Chairman Thomas Fann urged the EC and the police to investigate and take action on the matter.

He said the action was clearly an election offense because wearing any clothing showing party symbols or logos into the polling station was prohibited.