Harapan commits more electoral offences as it is gov't, says EC chief

Pakatan Harapan tends to commit a higher number of electoral offences compared to opposition parties because it is in power, said Election Commission chief Azhar Azizan Harun.

"I am not defending Harapan, but it seems to have (committed a) higher number of offences because they are the government.

"Being in the government, there are offences they could commit which the opposition cannot commit... that is the misuse of government assets, misuse of the ministeral time and government activities to bait votes," he told business radio station BFM in an interview yesterday.

Azhar was responding to reports that the ruling coalition committed the highest number of electoral offences in the recently concluded Semenyih by-election.

He also pointed out that the electoral offences committed appeared to be more serious in the recent polls because prior to this, such offences with regard to the Election Offences Act 1954 were not spoken of.

He also made a jest about political parties constantly violating the rules.

"Well, (they do so) because I think they are used to it," he said.

On March 8, electoral watchdog Bersih reported that the Semenyih polls saw the highest number of electoral offences committed among all six by-elections held since GE14.

According to the report, Harapan had committed the highest number of offences (21), followed by BN (13), and one by an unknown party.

Of the 35 offences committed, eight concerned exerting undue influence (Harapan), five were for presenting gifts or serving food to constituents (Harapan), and two were with regard to violence, intimidation and disturbance (one each by Harapan and BN).

In the Cameron Highlands by-election, a total of 23 offences were recorded - 14 were committed by BN, five by Harapan and two by PAS.