PUTRAJAYA: With the polling day is around the corner, the Election Commission (EC) has come forward to clarify several fake messages and news on 14th General Election (GE14) which went viral on social media.
EC chairman Tan Sri Hashim Abdullah said the commission noticed that there were attempts by irresponsible parties to cause confusion among the people by spreading false messages in the form of videos, text messages and pictures on social media.
Among the fake news include were counting process for early votes at several election centres; postal ballot papers covered with wax and methods to mark the ballot papers; mileage claims for those travelling to vote; and black spot on the ballot papers.
On claims that the tabulation for early voting session was carried out for several parliamentary seats, Hashim clarified that it had never taken place as the ballot papers were kept at a secured place in the police station.
He said all ballot papers would be counted at tabulation centres set up by the commission and the process would be witnessed by stakeholders including the election candidates or their agents.
He also dismissed allegations that certain candidate’s box on the postal ballot papers have been wiped with wax. This was allegedly to make it difficult for voters to mark on that section.
“So far, we have yet to receive any complaints on that. Every printed ballot paper will be thoroughly checked by pages to ensure that there is no stain like black dots.
“In terms of marking the ballot papers, the right method is by marking cross in one of the candidates’ boxes. Should there is any hesitation, it will be decided by the head of voting station whether it is accepted or rejected, with the presence of agents of the contesting candidates.
“Also, EC had never issued a notification to inform voters that they can make mileage claims to return to their hometown. There were viral messages that voters can make travel claims at district office by displaying their identification card, and that they will be paid, according to the travel distance, between RM10 and RM1,000,” he said in a statement, today.
Hashim urged the public not to be influenced by false messages and spread them on social media as the illegal act could create further confusion among the voters.