Police Clarify Only One Walkabout Permit Needed Per Candidate

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GE15 | Police have clarified that all candidates indeed need permits for walkabouts conducted during the general election campaign period.
However, candidates only have to get one permit for the entire campaign period, and not for every walkabout they conduct in the constituency they are contesting in.
Its GE15 operations director Hazani Ghazali said this is according to Subsection 24B (3) of the Election Offences Act.
He also clarified that if the constituency straddles two police districts, permits need to be obtained from the police headquarters of both districts.
"These permits will allow police to ensure the candidate’s activities go on smoothly.
"Candidates must take appropriate action to avoid bumping into each other during campaigns, or issuing verbal or physical provocations during walkabouts," Hazani said in a statement.
DAP elections director Liew Chin TongYesterday, several candidates went up in arms when police enforced this condition, thus barring them to conduct planned activities.
DAP elections director Liew Chin Tong said the rule was suddenly implemented and was “baseless”, as there had not been such a requirement in previous years.
Liew, who is contesting the Iskandar Puteri seat in Johor, called on the Election Commission (EC) to repeal such a rule so that candidates can meet more voters on the ground.
“This rule not only makes it difficult for candidates to meet voters and affect the smoothness of the campaign, but it also burdens the EC as well as police officials and staff with more bureaucracy,” he added. - Mkini

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