You have probably heard a lot of rules and regulations that you’ll have to follow this GE14 and one of them includes taking photos in the polling station. Once you are in the classroom and ready to cast your vote, you are not allowed to use your phone. No, not even for phone calls!
Source: Malay Mail
Before you go thinking that this is nothing serious, do note that there are dire consequences if you break these rules which can even land you in jail. With less than a week left to GE14, tensions are running high as the days fly by.
There will be Malaysians who get to vote earlier, such as civil servants or postal voters and as such, the Election Commission (EC) chairman Tan Sri Mohd Hashim Abdullah has issued a reminder. He said that they should never take photos of any documentation related to GE14, such as ballot papers or forms and upload them on social media. You will get in deep trouble!
Source: Sinar Harian
NST reported that he said, “EC would like to advise all voters, especially those who are eligible to vote via post, whether domestic or overseas, who receive GE14 documents before the early or normal voting days, not to take photos of the ballot papers, forms or envelopes. They should also refrain from spreading them on social media or any medium of communication. This prohibition safeguards the public interest and applies to all voters.”
He explained that this move is to ensure that the voting process remains transparent and protect the secrecy of the vote. You really don’t want to get caught doing that because you could be thrown into prison.
Under Section 3 of the Election Offences Act 1954 (Act 5), if a person is convicted they are liable to a jail term of maximum two years, a maximum fine of RM5,000 or both.
Source: Malay Mail
That’s not all, the offender is also not eligible to vote for the next five years. Hashim said, “The offender shall until the expiration of five years from such conviction, be incapable of being registered or listed as an elector or of voting at any election or of being elected at any election, and if at that date he has been elected at any election, his seat shall be vacated from the date of such conviction.”
So, during polling day, keep those phones away once it’s your turn! If you’re still unclear, read more below!
Also read: GE14: Important Do’s & Don’ts on Polling Day M’sians MUST Take Note Of
