KUALA LUMPUR: Barisan Nasional (BN) and its mainstay component Umno cannot use their party logo to campaign for PAS in the Seri Setia by-election.
Election Commission (EC) secretary Datuk Mohamed Elias Abu Bakar said that only parties under the same political coalition can campaign using their logos during by-elections.
“If the parties are under a single coalition, there is no problem (with regard to using party logos).
“For a PKR candidate contesting, other parties under the same coalition with it (PKR) can use (their) logo or symbol.
“For example in the Seri Setia by-election, if PAS is contesting and Umno comes down to campaign (for PAS), Umno cannot use its own party logo and symbol or that of BN’s because PAS is not a BN component.
“However in the Balakong by-election where MCA is contesting, then BN component parties like Umno can use their own party logo and symbol because they (Umno and MCA) are under the same coalition (BN), therefore it is not an offence,” he told NSTP today.
Previously, Umno announced that it would activate its machinery to aid PAS in its campaign in the Seri Setia by-election.
Despite PAS not being a BN component party, this particular by-election will see both the Islamist party and Umno working together to defeat Pakatan Harapan (PH), following a similar cooperation in the recent Sungai Kandis by-election on Aug 4.
Mohamed Elias explained that the EC will monitor all candidates and parties in both Seri Setia and Balakong campaigns that will last 21 days beginning today until Sept 7.
“EC’s Election Campaign Enforcement Team will on-the-ground monitoring in both by-elections.
“It will take action against any party or candidate found to have committed offences under the Elections Offences Act 1954,” he said.
Polling for both by-elections will be on Sept 8.