Ec Bans The Use Of Mobile Phones In Polling Centres

---

 


GE15 | The Election Commission (EC) appears to have heeded calls to ban the use of mobile phones inside polling centres.
In an infographic uploaded on its Facebook earlier today, the commission listed down 10 steps to observe on polling day for the 15th general election, which falls on Nov 19.
The sixth step requires voters to head to the presiding officer’s desk, after completing their verification, dipping their finger in indelible ink, and collecting their ballot paper.
There, they are required to surrender their mobile phone before heading to the ballot box to cast their votes.
Once they have completed the voting process, they are required to walk back to the presiding officer's desk to collect their phones before immediately leaving the polling centre.
Previously, former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad called on the EC to ban the use of mobile phones inside polling centres as it could negate a voter's ballot secrecy and encourage corruption.
"Mobile phones can nullify the secrecy of a voter's ballot. Parties can use this for bribery.
"Voters can show through the mobile phone what party they have voted for, and the party can pay them (for voting)," Mahathir, the incumbent Langkawi MP and Gerakan Tanah Air (GTA) chairperson, had said.
The country goes to the polls on Nov 19, while early voting will be held on Nov 15.
Bersih chairperson Thomas Fann welcomed the move.
"We are glad that the EC has taken this action to ban the usage of mobile phones when voting, as those who are 'buying' votes require those who are 'selling' their votes to take a snap of their ballots after they have marked it as proof.
"Besides, it is an offence under Section 3 of the Election Offences Act to show your marked ballot since voting is secret. You could be jailed for up to two years or fined up to RM5,000 or both," Fann told Malaysiakini. - Mkini

---