COMMENT | Safeguarding the integrity of the Sabah election

COMMENT | The Election Commission (EC) has fixed Sept 26 for the Sabah state election while nominations will be held on Sept 12. The state legislative assembly was dissolved on July 30 following a political crisis. It now has 73 seats to be contested after the Dewan Rakyat approved a bill last year to increase the number from 60.

Integrity and fairness in electoral campaigns are crucial to ensure that fraud or corruption does not damage the credibility of the election and its outcome. It is appropriate if the parties that are contesting should engage in clean and fair campaigns especially when the coronavirus crisis affects us all.

According to the existing legislative framework, the EC does not have the power to investigate, prosecute, fine, or probe any election candidate or party they represent for any violation of election law, especially provisions under the Election Offences Act 1954 (EOA).

It is the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) which would be responsible for taking action against parties, their agents, and members who breach the provisions of EOA or Penal Code offences.

The MACC is also responsible for taking action against those found to...