Candidates up in arms over 'election walkabout' permit

Candidates up in arms over 'election walkabout' permit


GE15 | Several politicians have criticised the move to enforce a permit for election candidates to go on walkabouts, as part of the 15th general election (GE15) campaign period.

DAP elections director Liew Chin Tong said in a statement that the rule was suddenly implemented and is “baseless” as there had not been such a requirement in previous years.

Liew, who is contesting Iskandar Puteri 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.

“The EC and the police need to be more committed to improving campaign rules in GE15, instead of burdening all parties.

“As a proactive measure, the EC and the police need to immediately repeal the rule on applying for a walkabout permit in this election’s campaign period to facilitate and expedite candidates’ efforts to meet an ever-increasing number of voters in each parliamentary and state assembly constituency,” said Liew.

This was echoed by PSM’s S Arutchelvan - who described the new measure as a “mockery to democracy” when police permits are needed for basic campaign activities like walkabouts.

Similarly, Kulai hopeful Teo Nie Ching also claimed she was told that only ceramah (political talks) required permits.

“Briefing by RO on Nov 5, he told us (for) walkabout, we only need to inform (the) police. Only ceramah needs permit.

“We submitted our schedule to the police. They told us cannot go to Saleng night market,” she said, adding that the EC had stopped her when visiting the night market in Kulai, Johor.

Safety and public order

In a statement today, Perak police chief Yusri Hassan Basri unveiled the rule, saying it will apply to public speeches too.

He added that such permits were necessary to ensure “safety and public order” and those who fail to comply would be subject to provisions under the Election Offences Act 1954.

“Police have been given powers to issue permits under the act,” said Yusri.

“Walkabouts can involve one person, or a group, moving from one place to another to meet others to campaign for votes,” he added.

He assured that the police will handle all permit applications urgently.

According to him, 233 permits were approved to date, with 212 of them for ceramah.

It is understood that this move will be enforced nationwide.